Slingshot Swans: How a lost season shaped Sydney’s rebirth | Tom Barrass lands heavily as New-loo…

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Slingshot Swans: How a lost season shaped Sydney's rebirth

As 2025 slipped away Dean Cox took the chance to change his side's game style

IT HAD been a tough old debut season in the coach's chair for Dean Cox.

His Sydney side was beset by injuries and clinging to the outskirts of the top eight, effectively three games adrift of finals qualifications given Gold Coast had a match in hand.

The easy money was on Greater Western Sydney for the Sydney Derby, given the Giants wanted to push for a top-four spot.

But the Swans came out firing in the first half, jumping out to a highly unexpected 35-point lead.

Tom Barrass lands heavily as New-look Swans fire early at MCG

tom barrass attacked the aerial contest with courage but landed heavily as Sydney’s new-look forward mix produced a frantic start in round two at the MCG; Malcolm Rosas jnr and Charlie Curnow combined for a pair of early goals, and the Swans pushed through the corridor to relentless effect. The clash forms part of round two of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, played at the MCG on Thursday night. The sequence left the contest lively and raised immediate questions about bodies and momentum for both teams.

Sydney’s recruits wasted no time setting the tone: Malcolm Rosas jnr and Charlie Curnow combined for two quick goals in a fast opening period. The Swans repeatedly took the game on through the corridor and found targets, including a finish to Justin McInerney that capped an aggressive passage. Across their opening two matches Sydney sit 2-0 and have passed 100 points in each game, even while Curnow has contributed just three of the side’s 35 goals this season.

Sydney Swans dropped the ball

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