The Sydney Swans have suffered a tough 57-point defeat at the hands of Narrm on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.
The Swans, who featured at the MCG for the first time in 2025, were unable to withstand Narrm's relentless pressure from start to finish and recorded a 19.17 (131) to 12.6 (78) loss.
Heeney was a shining light with three goals and 22 disposals, while Angus Sheldrick did his selection chances no harm moving forward with 26 majors of his own.
Narrm was ruthless and persistent, baring its fangs and clamping down on the visitors, with the only blemish on the performance its early conversion, albeit it was still enough to put on its highest score since round seven, 2023.
Sydney lacked the precision in its disposal required to effectively execute its desired style of play. Narrm's awareness and ability to defend the corridor and repeatedly pick off any marginally inaccurate kicks inside made it deadly on turnover heading back into attacking 50.
Pickett's ability to find acres of space around stoppage, and then slide forward and lose any direct opponent in the process, was endlessly threatening.
His class bore 24 disposals, six clearances along with his five majors for the match, while Clayton Oliver (31 disposals, 12 tackles, one goal) enjoyed a well-rounded performance by providing just as much defensive pressure as he did attacking movement.
Sydney lacked the precision in its disposal required to effectively execute its desired style of play. Narrm's awareness and ability to defend the corridor and repeatedly pick off any marginally inaccurate kicks inside made it deadly on turnover heading back into attacking 50.
It was a masterful full-ground defensive effort from the Demons; not simply through positioning behind play but sheer work rate to swarm and worry the ball carrier, and those on the receiving end.
Narrm was urgent, but not panicked, with its slick hands out of contested situations and the Swans were often caught trailing the Demons as they exited the affray. The home side ultimately led the contested possessions 157-130 in a key indicator of its dominance.
It was a testament to the form of Demon Jake Bowey (17 disposals, 401 metres gained) that Sydney tagger James Jordon was sent to him early in the game, but so impressive was Christian Petracca (28 disposals, one goal) over the opening half that the Swan made the shift after the main break.
The Demons should have shut the door on the game in the second term, with 11 scores from 23 inside 50s, but only converted three majors. Sydney, meanwhile, generated just five forward entries and lived dangerously in its defensive half for the duration of the quarter.
Despite his side failing to gather any sense of momentum or control throughout the match, Isaac Heeney kept his head high with some late goals in the final quarter, although they were to no avail.
NARRM 3.3 6.11 11.15 19.17 (131)
SYDNEY 2.1 4.1 7.3 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Narrm: Pickett 5, Melksham 3, Sharp 2, Sparrow 2, Fritsch 2, Petracca, Salem, Gawn, Petty, Oliver
Sydney: Heeney 3, Ladhams 2, Campbell, Hayward, Hamling, Blakey, Mills, Warner, McLean
BEST
Narrm: Pickett, Oliver, Petracca, Salem, Gawn, Rivers
Sydney: Heeney, Warner, Rowbottom, Roberts
INJURIES
Narrm: Nil
Sydney: Wicks (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
Narrm: Harry Sharp (replaced Charlie Spargo in the third quarter)
Sydney: Taylor Adams (replaced Sam Wicks in the third quarter)
Crowd: 38,520 at the MCG
