AFL results 2026, Sydney Swans def Western Bulldogs, Round 17

Sydney has resolidified its top-two position on the ladder, palming off the Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90) to 7.13 (55) at the SCG on Friday night.

The Swans returned to winning ways in a contest that ebbed and flowed, with Dean Cox’s side claiming its 13th win eight days after a concerning loss to Brisbane had pundits questioning their flag credentials.

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Sydney was down key starters, including Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Sam Wicks, but kicked the game’s first six goals and didn’t look back while playing a fresh, uncontested style of game.

“Their uncontested marking has been a standout – they’re playing a different style,” Lions great Alastair Lynch said on Fox Footy.

“We haven’t seen the overlap metres gained by hands that we know so well – they’re chipping the ball around.”

They also pounced on the defensive-half errors of the Bulldogs, who at the other end couldn’t be accurate with their chances.

But despite the hosts getting out to a 36-point lead in the third quarter, the Dogs didn’t lie down, kicking crucial late goals to ensure Sydney’s four points would be hard-fought.

The Swans played a terrific front-half game, winning the territory battle convincingly and easily able to control the uncontested game.

Charlie Curnow, who’s in ripping form, starred with six goals, 10 score involvements and nine marks.

Sydney is now 8-0 at the SCG this year, with an average winning margin of almost seven goals.

THE 3-2-1 (what we learned) …

3. ‘EVERYONE THINKS…’: SWANS REVEAL ‘DIFFERENT’ STYLE AFTER SCRUTINY

It doesn’t always have to be go, go, go.

It was something that appeared to creep into Sydney’s game last Thursday, but it was clear the Swans, at the outset, wanted to try and control their forward movements with uncontested marks.

It’s certainly not their established method towards goal, coming into the round ranked 18th for uncontested marks.

But as rivals continue to latch onto their scintillating forward handball game, the Swans and Dean Cox know they’ve got to find other avenues in transition – even if it’s not at breakneck speed – if their preferred one is shut off.

“Their uncontested marking has been a standout – they’re playing a different style,” Lions great Alastair Lynch said on Fox Footy in the first quarter.

“We haven’t seen the overlap metres gained by hands that we know so well – they’re chipping the ball around.

“Typically they’ve averaged 18 marks in a quarter – they’re already up to 20 (with four minutes left).”

Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall added: “I like it from Dean Cox … they’re saying ‘everyone thinks we just play this handball game’.

“‘Well, let’s show that we can actually possess it by foot and play a different brand of footy and still get the job done’.”

From boundary level, Cats great Cam Mooney explained further at quarter-time.

“We were all talking about how Sydney was going to (fix) their handball game … Well, this week, it’s the marking game; the uncontested game,” he said.

“They are ranked 18th for uncontested marks … this is just a little way that they are changing their game.

“We know they love their handball game. But if they’re not getting that given to them by the opposition, they’re going to take the uncontested marking game.”

Asked at half-time about the apparent change, Isaac Heeney told Fox Footy: “It’s kind of what the opposition gives us; I think we need to adjust to the trends better than we have in our last month of footy … we took that into the first quarter.”

Sydney thoroughly outpossessed the Dogs, had 20 more forward entries in an emphatic territory battle win, and was a whopping +64 for uncontested possessions.

Cox’s charges were also +25 for marks, finishing with 97 for the game – 15 more than their season average.

They mightn’t admit as much in the public forum, but this was yet another Swans flex – a fresh statement to the rest of the competition that they can win another way.

And it was a statement they had to make, after their flag candidacy was in question following a poor patch of form, particularly from a defensive perspective.

The Swans’ defence hadn’t been anywhere near up to scratch, conceding 80 points from turnover to the Lions last Thursday, as their defensive shape was repeatedly exposed in transition.

“I do have some concerns about Sydney … it is about the bigger picture and whether their style stacks up against the big boys in September,” Fox Footy expert Leigh Montagna said on First Crack.

From Rounds 8 through 16, the Swans have ranked 14th for points against, 17th for points against from turnover, and 13th for defending ball movement.

“That is not the profile of a team that can win the premiership,” Montagna said.

But they gave the Dogs very little offensively – granted, poor goalkicking accuracy played a part – in a much more stringent showing on Friday night.

2. ‘STORY OF THE NIGHT’: DOGS MATCHUP BADLY EXPOSED

Buku Khamis said he learned from his matchup with Charlie Curnow earlier in the year, but the dual Coleman medallist had his way with the Dogs’ stopper once more on Friday night.

In the first half alone, Curnow kicked four goals, took six marks and had six score involvements to cap his highest-rated half as a Swan.

Sydney’s spearhead finished with six goals in arguably his most convincing display as a Swans player.

Khamis’ poor positioning in the back half was key to him being outmarked on multiple occasions.

“He’s having a tough night, Buku Khamis,” Jason Dunstall said in the second term on Fox Footy.

Jordan Lewis said at half-time: “I think the story of the night … (we) interviewed Buku (pre-game) about his positioning and where he wanted to be … that was the intriguing thing that we watched in the first half.”

Jack Riewoldt added: “The contested marks is the aspect he was able to get Khamis early on.

“Played in a poor position here (for Curnow’s first goal) … just in the wrong spot.

“He spoke about playing to his strengths – I’m tipping standing in front, trying to wrestle Charlie Curnow isn’t one of Buku’s strengths.”

Lewis chimed in: “Yes, a lot falls on Buku and his positioning, but he needs more help from his teammates in that back six.”

Khamis was ultimately moved forward late in the second half.

Meanwhile, ruckman Tim English was deployed deep in defence, prompting curiosity from the Fox Footy panel at the SCG.

“What message is Luke Beveridge sending by playing Tim English at full back?” Dunstall posed.

“It’s a vote of no confidence in the ruck.”

Elsewhere, defensive-half turnovers and inaccuracy proved costly from the get-go for the Dogs, who were -9 for front-half turnovers caused by quarter-time.

“The story of this first quarter has been simple, basic turnovers through the middle of the ground for the Western Bulldogs, and they’ve paid the price,” Alastair Lynch said.

At half-time, Riewoldt said: “They’ve had their chances, but they would be ruing their shots on goal.”

Lewis said: “They resurrected momentum (in the second term), but once again, easy opportunities forward of the ball with chances to actually lift the morale of the group just went missing.”

1. DOGS STRUCK DOWN AS MIDFIELDER IN MRO ‘TROUBLE’

Connor Budarick’s interrupted year continues, with the rebounding Bulldog ruled out of the match at half-time with an ankle injury.

Defender Nick Coffield later joined him on the sidelines after copping a brutal knee to the back of his head.

Budarick got awkwardly tangled in an Isaac Heeney tackle in the second quarter and was in immediate pain.

He had to be assisted down to the Dogs’ rooms before communication came through at the main break that he’d take no further part.

It comes after Budarick – who’s been an important back-half asset for Luke Beveridge – missed time with a hamstring strain in April.

Coffield, on the other hand, was on the receiving end of an inadvertent Chad Warner knee, which made heavy contact with the Dog’s head.

After initially staying out on the field, Coffield made his way to the bench before being officially ruled out with concussion.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs midfielder Matt Kennedy is set to come under heat from the Match Review Officer after a bump on Sydney’s Caiden Cleary.

“I think he is (in some trouble). He elected to bump, rather than brace,” Midweek Tackle’s Jon Ralph said at half-time.

“He might suggest that Caiden Cleary drags the ball in, so what else was he supposed to do, but it’s certainly hip to the head, here.

“Doesn’t try and win the ball, doesn’t try and stop to brace. I think he breaches his duty of care.”

Michael Christian’s ‘impact’ grading will determine whether it’s a fine or suspension for Kennedy.

Re-live Sydney vs. Bulldogs in our blog below!