From the courageous to the spectacular, we’ve seen a host of Sydney Swans marks this season that have brought the crowd to its feet.
As the Swans enjoy a Round 14 bye, we run an eye over the best marks taken so far.
5 – Ben Ronke v West Coast Eagles, SCG, Round 13
Swans young gun Ben Ronke is known for his huge ability as a goal-sneak and terrier-like hunt at the contest, but last Friday the lively forward showed his stunning aerial talent. Swans defender Heath Grundy got a kick away under pressure sent sailing up the left wing, Eagle Chris Masten steadied himself under the ball and Ronke launched for a speccy early in the first term. He sprung with his knees off Masten’s back, snaffled the Sherrin with two hands and landed without a juggle.
4 – George Hewett v West Coast Eagles, Optus Stadium, Round 1
As the Swans clung to a five-point lead early in the second quarter, Sydney midfielder George Hewett fly high for a brilliant speccy. The ball soared inside West Coast’s forward 50 towards Hewett and Jeremy McGovern in a one-on-one contest and the Swan catapulted off the Eagle’s upper back. Hewett grabbed the footy with both hands and a travelling legion of Swans fans flooded Perth’s new venue with raucous cheer.
3 – Isaac Heeney v Geelong Cats, GMHBA Stadium, Round 6
Just nine minutes of the match had passed as star Sydney midfielder Isaac Heeney showed no signs of early-game nerves when he took a daring grab in traffic. Geelong forward Esava Ratugolea was steaming toward a long kick sent swirling down the wing when a fearless Heeney flew through the air from the opposite direction. He crashed back down to the turf with the footy in both hands and assessed his options immediately before shovelling a handball to an on-the-run Ronke on his outside. Fox commentator Eddie McGuire labelled the mark “courage personified”.
2 – Robbie Fox v Geelong Cats, GMHBA Stadium, Round 6
Another Swan flew high for a stellar grab in the fourth term of the same game at the Cattery when forward Robbie Fox hurled himself off the upper back of Geelong’s Rhys Stanley. As the Swans stared down the barrel of a 22-point deficit early in the final stanza, the Tasmanian came up with a piece of play that would help inspire a comeback. Fox plucked the ball from the heavens deep inside 50 and made no mistake from the ensuing set shot. McGuire dubbed him “The Flying Fox” and his goal triggered a flurry of final-term majors as the Swans ran in seven goals to the Cats’ one to clinch an unforgettable come-from-behind victory.
1 – Isaac Heeney v Fremantle, SCG, Round 9
In arguably the biggest speccy of the lot, Heeney flung himself off the shoulders of Docker Lachie Neale in a show of spectacular hang-time. Swans defender Dane Rampe gave the ball a roost and Heeney launched himself off the Docker, welcoming the Sherrin with both hands and crashing back to earth with the ball tucked safely under his left wing early in the game.
