The Sydney Swans have started the 2021 season in sensational form with two wins on the trot.
John Longmire’s side beat Adelaide by 33 points at the SCG on Saturday to follow on from their 31-point victory over Brisbane in Round 1.
With a new-look forward line already returning 37 goals and buoyed by the return of Lance Franklin in the win over the Crows, there is a lot to like about what’s happening in Sydney.
This weekend, however, they meet reigning premier Richmond who put on a defensive masterclass in restricting Hawthorn to seven goals at the MCG on Sunday.
Garry Lyon was full of praise for the way Damien Hardwick’s side went about their business and wonders what it means for the Swans this coming weekend.
“On Saturday, the Swans come to the MCG to play Richmond,” said Lyon on SEN Breakfast.
“I watched Richmond’s defence on the weekend. It is a work of art.
“When you sit there and watch how they peel off and support and cover, it’s a work of art.”
To offset the seasoned Tigers defence, the Swans will bring with them what Lyon describes as a “marquee” forward line to Melbourne this weekend.
“This is the forward line that potentially Sydney will throw up: (Isaac) Heeney, Franklin, (Errol) Gulden, (Tom) Papley, (Logan) McDonald and then take your pick of (Nick) Blakey or (Sam) Wicks or one of those,” he added.
“How quickly has that turned? That is marquee. That is a roll up, roll up forward line.”
Kane Cornes also lauded Sydney while adding a caveat about Richmond’s defensive ability.
“Well done to Sydney. They’ve injected youth and talent,” he said.
“I saw them from a kick-in, two kicks and goal on the weekend at the SCG.
“That’s a great game of footy where at the start of the year you’d think how much Richmond by.
“But you’re right on that defence. If anyone wants to learn how to play, go and watch Trent Cotchin’s tape yesterday. He had plenty of the footy but his defensive work and his ability to read the cues from the opposition when they’ve got the ball quicker than anyone else was an absolute work of art.”
Focusing on Franklin’s presence in the team for the first time since late 2019, Lyon posed a question about the Swans great which prompted discussion.
Lyon asked: “Is Buddy going to want the footy too much? Is that going to cause problems for Sydney?
“Because he demands the ball like no one else.”
Cornes added: “It will cause problems for his young teammates because he just draws it.
“Because he’s that figure in the forward line where if Buddy’s there, I see him, I notice him, and he just presents so hard with his arms out. We can all picture him doing that, it’s hard to ignore him.”
Tim Watson replied: “I reckon this is John’s greatest challenge now.
“We all love the way that Buddy has played but as you get to the latter stages of your career, your preparedness to take on a role and give away more to the team is one of your great challenges. Particularly when you’ve been the number one player.
“We love Buddy but there were times when he drew the ball in that first game back where he shouldn’t have even been calling for it.”
Cornes said: “He can extend his career by doing it. He doesn’t have to be that main guy anymore. He can just bowl up and kick his two or three.”
Lyon concluded: “With Logan McDonald playing in there, he might become a nice decoy.”
The Swans meet the Tigers at 1:45pm AEDT this Saturday at the MCG.