Sydney’s generation-next cover banished Buddy as Hawthorn cops another thrashing

It was a case of “Buddy Who” at the SCG on Sunday as Lance Frankin’s suspension was covered in spectacular style by rare inclusion Joel Amartey and grand final-reject Logan McDonald as the Swans inflicted Hawthorn’s second successive heavy loss.

Franklin was suspended for a week after the Swans’ comfortable round-one victory over Gold Coast, but his absence was easily covered by Armartey and even-younger forward Logan McDonald as Hawthorn was thrashed by 81 points. The Hawks scored just two goals between the one-minute mark of the second quarter and the 21-minute mark of the last.

The athletic Joel Amartey stepped up for Sydney with four goals against Hawthorn.Credit:Getty Images

Pushing last season’s humiliating grand final defeat further into the background, the Swans showed there would be life after Franklin, thanks to Amartey kicking four goals and McDonald five. They kicked the first five Swans goals between them.

Every goal was cheered by a heaving early season SCG crowd of 37,052.

It was a particularly significant day for McDonald, who was dropped for last year’s grand final.

The Swans have plans to rest Franklin, 36, at times during his final season but a self-inflicted spell for a head high bump in the opening round was not part of the road map. Such was Sydney’s domination he wasn’t missed against his former team.

Sydney forward Tom Papley keeps the ball off Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

Playing just his 14th game and his first this season after being brought into the team for Franklin in the Swans’ only selection change, Amartey combined skill and strength to be an early target for the Swans’ dominant midfield and running backs.

Amartey had kicked 10 goals in his first 13 games, but had never kicked more than two in a match until Sunday when he and McDonald both had two before quarter-time.

Logan McDonald, five goals, rides ones of his shots on goal home against Hawthorn.Credit:Getty Images

By half-time Amartey had a game-high nine marks to go with his four goals.

He was subbed out at three-quarter-time with what appeared to be a left-hand injury, although it did not seem to be serious.

The performance of Amartey, 23, and promise of McDonald, 21, week leaves the Swans with an interesting selection quandary next week when Franklin will be available for selection for Sunday’s heavyweight clash against Melbourne at the MCG.

The player most in danger of losing his place would be key forward and second ruckman Hayden McLean, who had a modest match. This would force the Swans to us Amartey as a relief ruckman for Peter Ladhams, a role Amartey has played before.

The squeeze for Sydney’s big men will only become greater as the season unfolds, with veterans Sam Reid and Tom Hickey expected back from injury over the next month. Hindered by injury during his career, Reid had one of his best seasons last year, while Hickey is clearly the Swans’ best ruckman, although Ladhams has been good in his absence this season.

Amartey and McDonald had a day out because the Swans were relentless further afield. They played like a team with unfinished business after last season’s grand final hiding from Geelong.

Swans co-captains Callum Mills and Luke Parker controlled the midfield, Oli Florent and Jake Lloyd had a free run to create off half-back and Errol Gulden was his usual prolific self on a wing.

Hawthorn went down to Essendon by 59 points in round one, highlighting a tough rebuilding period ahead.

SYDNEY 4.6 8.7 13.11 17.16 (118)
HAWTHORN 1.5 2.7 2.9 4.13 (37)
GOALS
Sydney: McDonald 5, Amartey 4, Papley 2, Mills 2, Heeney 2, Parker, Hayward.
Hawthorn: Worpel, Moore, Meek, Breust
BEST
Sydney: Mills, Parker, Lloyd, Florent, McDonald, Amartey, Blakey, Ladhams.
Hawthorn: Worpel, Moore, Sicily, Impey, Day, Meek.

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