Swans' Corridor Command Crushes Roos in Statement Win
What a performance from the Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium! If you tuned into North Melbourne versus Sydney, you witnessed a masterclass in ball movement and polished execution, especially in that dominant second half. Sydney didn't just win—they dismantled North Melbourne by 65 points, and if you’re wondering how it happened, look no further than the corridor and what coach Alastair Clarkson called "polish with the footy."
Clarkson was honest post-game, crediting the Swans for their clean skills and daring play. He said it wasn’t necessarily about bravery, but more about Sydney’s willingness to take risks, cut through the centre, and use the ball with such efficiency that it left North Melbourne chasing shadows. Even though the Kangaroos had more of the footy—393 disposals to Sydney’s 341—they were pushed wide and couldn’t make that possession count. Sydney, on the other hand, turned every turnover into a scoring threat, blitzing through the middle of the ground and creating space that the Roos just couldn’t cover.
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And one name that keeps coming up? Riley Bice. The mature-age recruit played like he’d been in the system for years. His poise, his foot skills, and his ability to read the play elevated Sydney’s already sharp structure. John Cox was thrilled with Bice’s impact, saying he’s not just executing his role, he’s embracing it with confidence. When you’ve got a young player stepping up like that, especially when key names like Tom Papley are sidelined, it speaks volumes about your depth.
Meanwhile, the Swans’ young brigade didn’t just hold the line—they led from the front. With only 15 players from last year’s Grand Final side out there, and five with 12 games or fewer, Sydney looked fresh, fearless, and focused. Cox praised the group for how they handled a challenging week, especially dealing with Papley’s injury news. He called it a “really pleasing” response, and you could tell he meant every word.
On the other side, North Melbourne now faces some tough questions. Despite trying to adapt and find a way into the corridor, they were constantly shut out and forced into low-impact areas. Clarkson admitted that Sydney owned the corridor—just like they’ve done against the competition for the last two years—and his team couldn’t find a way to break through.
Sydney walk away with two strong wins on the road now, while the Roos will need to regroup, especially with some injury clouds like Luke Davies-Uniacke’s hip knock lingering. But if there’s one clear takeaway—it’s that when Sydney are on, they’re absolutely ruthless.
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