Sydney and GWS met in a competitive practice match on Thursday at Tramway Oval in Moore Park.
In warm conditions, it was the Swans who prevailed 16.16.(112) to 13.8.(86) with most of their star players out on the park apart from Taylor Adams and Callum Mills.
For the Giants, they fielded a quality side but were without captain Toby Greene, as well as Isaac Cumming, Finn Callaghan, Nick Haynes and Harry Perryman, among others.
The clash was notable for Brodie Grundy who lined up in Swans colours for the first time and the big man didn’t disappoint.
For GWS, the usual types in Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green had plenty of it, particularly early.
Neither side appeared to suffer many major injuries.
Stats are thanks to @aflcentral1, check them out on Twitter and Instagram.
Check out the standout players below.
Aaron Cadman (GWS)
The No. 1 pick from the 2022 draft showed signs of what’s to come with four goals on Thursday.
Cadman was tipped to have a breakout season by teammate Harry Himmelberg in December and he looks to be headed that way if Thursday’s outing was anything to go by.
Cadman competed well in the air and looked classy inside 50 with strong leading patterns and quality finishing.
After kicking 6 goals from 12 games in his first season, Cadman could see those numbers rise significantly in his second campaign.
A strong grab and Aaron Cadman has three 💪
— AFL (@AFL) February 22, 2024
🎥: @kayosports@FOXSportsAUS pic.twitter.com/REwAQ5wJHS
Brodie Grundy (Sydney)
The big ruckman gave Swans fans a sign of things to come in his first competitive hitout.
Playing as a standalone number one ruck, Grundy helped himself to 17 disposals and 22 hitouts as he gave Sydney’s midfielders first use at stoppage.
After a down season with injury in 2022 and another plagued by form and selection issues with Melbourne in 2023, Grundy will hope to bounce back to his best at his new club.
It’s certainly a good way to start for the new tall Swan.
Brodie Grundy’s first half -
— AFLCENTRAL (@aflcentral1) February 22, 2024
8 disposals @ 62.5%
8 tackles
1 mark
5 frees for
2 free against
13 hit-outs
Harvey Thomas (GWS)
A potential Opening Round bolter?
Thomas looked dangerous as a small forward option.
After being taken at Pick 59 in last year’s draft, Thomas may have to wait to make his AFL debut with the likes of Toby Greene, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford ahead of him, but he certainly did his senior selection hopes no harm on Thursday.
Another Academy product that the Giants look to have uncovered.
Harvey Thomas has his first in the orange and charcoal 🍊
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) February 22, 2024
Watch live on @kayosports 🎥 pic.twitter.com/L5UXkOsJ3a
Chad Warner (Sydney)
The hard-running Sydney midfielder started well and finished with plenty of disposals and two goals.
Warner continued his form as a midfielder that carries the footy forward and he often drove the ball inside 50 to his waiting forwards.
Still aged just 22, Warner looks like he could trend upwards again in 2024.
An explosive start from Chad Warner with two goals in the opening quarter.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 22, 2024
Watch the game LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.#Bloods pic.twitter.com/3iz4KJMVOf
Logan McDonald (Sydney)
Life post-Buddy will be easier for Sydney if Logan McDonald picks up where the legend of the game left off.
While they’re big shoes to fill, the former No. 4 pick showed that he can be the main man inside 50 with four goals on Thursday.
Entering his fourth season, McDonald will hope to break out as one of the competition’s dominant key forwards in 2024.
