AFL Rankings: Round 2 2024

The Sydney Swans have got off to a good start to 2024, winning their first three games, including wins over 2023 finalists Collingwood and Melbourne. They have shot up to second place on the AFL ladder after finishing eighth last year, and up to third place on the rankings.

The Swans are not really getting the ball any more than their opponents, but they have been more effective when they have got it. They rank fifth so far for inside 50s per disposal, and fifth for points per inside 50. Sydney is getting the ball on the boot more often, increasing their kick-to-handball ratio from 1.5 in 2023 to 1.7. They are also curbing their opponents’ effectiveness, ranking sixth for opposition inside 50s per disposal. Many of their defensive statistics have been stellar – they rank fourth for average tackles, second for tackles inside 50, third for pressure acts, and third for spoils.

The player who has gained the most attention for this start is Isaac Heeney. With injuries to others Heeney has spent more time in the midfield, and leads the Swans with 15 contested possessions per game, eight clearances, and four centre clearances. In comparison, the injured Luke Parker led the Swans with averages of 11 contested possessions, five clearances, and two centre clearances last season. Further, Heeney has been more effective with his disposals, with 18 metres gained per disposal and kicking efficiency of 67 per cent per cent, compared with 11 metres and 56 per cent for Parker last season. Teams may start to work out how to restrict Heeney as the season progresses, but in that case the Swans just have a plethora of other midfielders they can turn to – including Parker when he returns – to best utilise Heeney’s talents.

The Swans were widely lauded for their off-season recruiting, bringing in former All-Australians Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams, and premiership player James Jordon. Adams hasn’t played yet, but Grundy and Jordon have been important to Sydney’s greater emphasis on pressure, with Grundy among the top rucks for tackles and pressure acts. James Rowbottom has been the standout ‘stopper’ so far, with almost ten tackles and two tackles inside 50 per game.

After a slightly disappointing 2023, the Swans are on track to bounce bank and approach the heights of their 2022 Grand Final season. They are currently projected to win 16 games, behind only cross-town rivals the Giants. There will probably be some adjustments required once Parker, Adams, and Callum Mills return, but trying to fit in a bunch of talented players isn’t the worst problem to have.