West Coast’s disastrous season has taken a turn for the worse as the Swans delivered a crushing defeat, matching their record for the largest winning margin with a 171-point thrashing. The Eagles were overwhelmed from the very beginning, experiencing their most significant loss in history as Sydney clinched a 31.19 (205) to 5.4 (34) victory at the SCG.
Following the game, West Coast coach Adam Simpson was asked about the potential psychological impact on his young players, to which he responded cautiously. “It’s an interesting question, as I’m not sure if 18-year-olds are affected in the same way. However, a winning culture is undoubtedly the best culture,” he stated. “There’s no denying that it’s a challenge. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it. We must accept it, make the most of it, and strive to be more competitive because tonight’s performance was unacceptable and embarrassing.”
Simpson’s response raises concerns about the pressure he may face following this staggering defeat. Former Western Bulldogs player Brad Johnson believes the West Coast Eagles will be contemplating their options in the coming days. “Over the last two games, they’ve conceded a total of 379 points…absolute demolitions. After a 122-point loss before their bye, they now return with over 200 points scored against them and another substantial defeat,” Johnson shared on Fox Footy. “This is a crucial decision that the West Coast Eagles will have to weigh up in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Johnson clarified that this decision primarily concerns Adam Simpson. “I believe so… They have invested in Adam Simpson, and that journey will continue. However, these recent events raise questions about the direction of that journey,” he added.
The Sydney Swans dominated the first quarter, leading 9.4 (58) to 1.0 (6). This scoreline is the highest for the club since 1997 and ranks as their third-best in history. Despite West Coast’s brief fightback in the second quarter, the relentless assault persisted.
The century mark was swiftly reached in the third quarter, prompting AFL legend Gerard Healy to comment on how this outcome disrupts the competition’s equilibrium. “They must find ways to become more competitive,” Healy emphasized. “It unbalances the season when a team can be defeated by 120 points. Playing the Eagles twice in the AFL draw becomes a substantial advantage.”
In the final quarter, Sydney reached the double century milestone, with Hayden McLean contributing the final point and Isaac Heeney kicking Adelaide’s last points. The last person to achieve this feat at the ground was Marnus Labuschagne during a cricket match against New Zealand in 2020.
Port Adelaide great and Nine expert Kane Cornes took to Twitter to mock West Coast coach Adam Simpson. He also included the hashtag “Save Harley” in reference to draft prospect Harley Reid, who is predicted to be the No.1 pick.
Isaac Heeney emerged as the standout player of the game, scoring five goals, while Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey each kicked four for the Swans. This monumental victory propelled Sydney to 11th place on the ladder, a significant rise from starting the game in the bottom four. West Coast now holds a 12-game losing streak and will face St Kilda next Sunday.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
