SYDNEY July 28 Sydney’s deep midfield and twin towers up forward powered the AFL premiers to an impressive 47-point win over Richmond at the SCG on Sunday.
Down 13 points early, Sydney were subsequently more efficient and kicked away to record an emphatic 16.14 (110) to 9.9 (63) win.
Jesse White equalled his career-best haul of four goals and Kurt Tippett booted three, with their aerial ability proving too much for the Tigers’ undersized backline.
The Swans’ midfield was also prominent with Ryan O’Keefe tallying 30 touches, Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack 26 apiece and impressive rookie Tom Mitchell 25.
Dustin Martin (30 possessions) was Richmond’s best player, while Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals.
Sydney broke open a previously close game with six straight goals either side of the last change.
The Tigers were competitive in most areas, but Sydney’s discipline, unrelenting tenacity and ability to hit targets up forward proved decisive.
Richmond’s Matt White kicked a goal on the run after just 40 seconds to spark an exhilarating first quarter that produced five goals for each team and an even scoreline at the first break.
Rebounding well out of defence early, The Tigers kicked three of the first four goals to lead by 13, with Martin looking especially dangerous.
Sydney kicked the next four goals, two of them to Jesse White.
The Swans dominated the second quarter, kicking 3.4 to 1.1 to create a 15-point halftime buffer.
Two goals from Riewoldt got the Tigers within ten points in the third quarter.
But Sydney again responded, notching the next four majors, as the home team opened up a 33-point break at the final change.
The hard-running Swans kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to put the seal on a decisive victory which lifted them into third place on the ladder.
Richmond remain sixth on 44 points ahead of another searching test next weekend against Hawthorn.
Richmond ruck-forward Ty Vickery was stretchered from the field in the final quarter after landing heavily in a marking contest.