Sydney crush North Melbourne as Bice shines & Hayward bags four

Sydney has snapped back into form in emphatic style, thrashing North Melbourne by 65 points under the Marvel Stadium roof on Saturday night.

With a depleted squad and coming off two early home losses, the Swans rediscovered their trademark ball movement and pressure to cruise to an 18.9 (117) to 8.4 (52) win, squaring their season ledger at 2-2 for the 2025 AFL season in the process.

Will Hayward (4 goals, 15 disposals) was electric in attack, while mature-aged recruit Riley Bice stole the show in just his third AFL game. The former Werribee midfielder racked up 26 disposals at 84% efficiency, 15 marks and nine intercepts in a breakout performance that drew high praise from all corners.

Sydney’s transition game was relentless and efficient. Despite North winning the possession count 393–341 and early clearance battle, the Sydney Swans simply did more with less — punishing turnover after turnover and dominating inside 50s 56 to 37.

Joel Amartey (4 goals) proved a handful up forward, while Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney drove the Swans’ midfield surge, supported by Nick Blakey and Braeden Campbell slicing through with speed and precision.

The Roos matched the visitors early, trailing by just 13 points at halftime, but their wheels fell off after the break. The Swans piled on 10 second-half goals to North’s three, with a string of turnovers and defensive breakdowns painting a grim picture for coach Alastair Clarkson.

Harry Sheezel was one of the few bright spots for North Melbourne, returning to his best with a game-high 34 disposals and nine marks. Luke Davies-Uniacke added 25 disposals despite carrying a hip concern, while Paul Curtis (2 goals) worked hard in attack.

But the Kangaroos’ lack of forward cohesion was stark. Time and again they spoiled each other’s leads or delivered poorly inside 50. Even Nick Larkey, who had kicked 12 goals across the opening three rounds, was blanketed by Tom McCartin, held to nine disposals and two late majors.

Tempers flared late as frustration bubbled over — Larkey grappling with McCartin behind play and ex-Swan Jacob Konstanty getting physical with former teammates. But it was Luke Parker, playing his first game against Sydney since his off-season move, who gave Roos fans a highlight — snapping a classy goal and saluting the home crowd.

Sydney’s pressure, polish and attacking intent were too much for a Roos outfit that promised more in the first month. The Swans, despite missing key names like Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Errol Gulden and Logan McDonald, now look back on track — and with Bice emerging as a gem, the upside remains significant.

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