The Sydney Swans vanquished their Grand Last ghosts with a commanding show of their season opener in opposition to the Gold Coast Suns.
After making a blistering begin to the competition the Swans by no means took their foot off the gasoline as they ran away to file the 16.14 (1110) to 9.7 (61) victory.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports activities. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
Celebrity Lance Franklin obtained the night time began with the opening two objectives of the competition, nevertheless it was within the fourth quarter when he was thrust into the highlight.
With the ball laborious up in opposition to the boundary line, the ball was in dispute with Suns defender Sam Collins standing over the ball.
Franklin got here storming in to use stress however clipped Collins on his approach by as he braced for contact.
The star ahead’s left shoulder landed flush on the chin of Collins who hit the deck and remained down because the physician got here to examine him out.
He was then taken from the bottom earlier than present process a HIA check. Collins was finally subbed out of the sport, nonetheless Fox Footy reported he had handed his HIA.
The Suns capitalised within the remaining quarter after the Swans had successfully put the cue within the rack after holding an eight-goal benefit at three-quarter time.
Franklin joins Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett because the second participant to face a nervous wait with the AFL match evaluation officer.
A blockbuster class motion introduced in opposition to the league by 60 former gamers attributable to concussion suffered all through their careers could lead on the MRO to ship laborious line stances on the hits.
Pickett was immediately positioned on report throughout Melbourne’s contest in opposition to the Western Bulldogs after leaving his ft to bump Bailey Smith in a shot that flattened him.
Working in Pickett’s favour is the very fact Smith obtained proper again to his ft and continued performed, one thing that would work in opposition to Franklin.
Chad Warner led the way in which for the Swans on the night time, carrying on from his stellar 2022 season with 30 disposals and a monstrous 726 metres gained.
In entrance of purpose it was Franklin, Tom Papley, Logan McDonald and Harry Cunningham doing the injury with two objectives every to their title.
The Swans are broadly tipped to be among the many Grand Last contenders once more this season and obtained their season off to the proper begin.
For the Suns it was a dismal outing in entrance of their dwelling followers in what might effectively be one other lengthy season.
Midfielders Touk Miller and Matt Rowell toiled away with 57 mixed disposals as ruckman Jarrod Witts tore the Swans aside with 25 touches and 51 hit-outs.
Sadly they simply didn’t have the firepower to go together with the Swans in what turned out to be a really one-sided affair.
