The Battle of the Bridge, is occasionally referred to as the Sydney Derby. It is based on a local Australian Football League (AFL) derby game between two Sydney-based clubs. The Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants are the two teams in Sydney, New South Wales. Since 2012, both of these teams have played against one another. Additionally, the Brett Kirk Medal is awarded at the conclusion of every match during the course of the regular season.
Despite the fact that it was the Sydney Derby on a dreary Saturday afternoon with a few passing rains, it was also Toby Bedford’s debut for the GWS Giants, for whom he had previously played for the Melbourne Demons. It was another welcoming moment for the Giants, who were pleased to add additional talent as the young players were ready to make a move and join the elite group of players. It was also Adam Kingsley’s first Sydney Derby as the GWS Giants’ head coach, while John Longmire has been the senior coach of the Sydney Swans since 2011 and has witnessed every Battle of the Bridge Derby since the GWS Giants began playing in the Australian Premiership Football League, which has been 10 years of the battle, which will now be 11 during the 2023 Season as upon the chapter of the two Sydney Rival Teams. It was the 25th meeting of the Sydney Derby, which meant there would be some exciting and exhilarating moments for both teams as they contended for the best team of the competition.
When the Sydney Derby’s first quarter began, both teams engaged in some pushing, contacting, and ruffing before beginning the clearance. Toby Greene threw the ball inside the 50-metre line to Toby Bedford, who scored his first goal for the Giants, putting them ahead early. On his GWS debut, Toby Bedford scores the game’s first goal, which comes from a turnover. The Swans earned a rushed behind, and Toby Greene scored to retake the lead. To prevent any risk, Tom Papley got himself a behind and kicked it in the ground. Peter Ladhams sneaks inside the 50-yard line and booted to score, much to the delight of Swans fans.Jesse Hogan blasted a goal from within the 30-meter box, that in the end caused the Giants to for a rushed behind. When Callan Ward kicked the footy to Greene, it bounced in the goal square but was blocked by the Swans defense, so Greene passed it to Brent Daniels, who actually passed it to Harry Perryman, who finished the job with a goal. Will Hayward also scores for Swans, reducing the deficit to 11 points, with Luke Parker assisting. Finn Callaghan fumbled the ball and passed it to Jack Buckley, who tackled and overturned it to Jake Lloyd, who stepped up and booted it to Hayden McLean. He was able to finish the first quarter with a late goal after the siren.
The GWS achieved the opening clearance of the second quarter, while Coniglio had the ball in the center square and passed it to Hogan, who then passed it back to Perryman, who scored on a steal goal from Xavier O’Halloran. After that, Tom Papley got another behind, and Logan McDonald scored from long range at the square center to the goal square, which Haynes struggled to dive for a block on. Matt Flynn was seen in the half forward flank position and threw the ball to Stephen Coniglio, who scored to give the Swans the lead. The Swans attempted a quick kick, but Ryan Angwin intercepted it and ran it on the outside of the field. The Swans attempted immediate effect kick, but Ryan Angwin recovered the ball from O’Halloran and raced it to the 50-metre line, giving the Giants another goal to increase their advantage in the spot for another goal. Peter Lamhams received the ball after the clearing was kicked to Lance Franklin, who scored for the Swans. Lance Franklin scores his first major since returning from injury, although he has already been targeted twice in the second quarter for a goal return. The Giants attempted to assemble the position, but Harry Himmelberg tossed the ball up in the air to Aaron Cadman, who scored inside the 30 metre line. While Luke Parker had the ball following an immediate clearance advantage and kicked the ball into the center square, Will Hayward caught the ball and did not include apprehensive of dropping it for an easy catch for a huge grab. Both teams continued to push and battle, and Hayward ultimately scored a goal for the Swans, making the game even more exciting. As the Swans, Ryan Clarke and Will Hayward both had a behind, but Issac Henney kicked the ball to the center, awaiting someone would jump up to receive the ball, which Lance Franklin secured. Callum Mills kicked it to Franklin, who finally scored after the whistle and smashes it to come closer. The Swans adopted power of the Giants forward position with defense but had some drops and pass it to Finn Callaghan for an interception and pass it to Tom Green for an interception and pass it to Xavier O’Halloran for a long kick but it was about to get a goal but it ended up a behind short from the post while Hogan touched the goalpost. Toby Greene, on the other hand, received the ball and dropped it to Hayward, who fumbled to the Swans, which Matt Flynn defended, allowing the Giants to have the ball to Conilgo and Bedford, who gave an insignificant flip to Grenne, who did a dive and finally scored. James Peatling scored on a behind to send the match to halftime despite the Giants throughout the process of taking the lead 9.7 (57) to 7.5 (47).
As soon as the third quarter began, the Swans took control and Franklin kicked the ball to get the score. Franklin followed by passing the ball to Hayward at a Centering Kick, which Errol Gulden caught by the goal square and gave the Swans a commanding lead for the very first time in the remainder of the game. The Swans maintained their lead with a behind from Franklin, another goal from Hayward, and a rushed behind from Issac Heaney. The Giants ultimately achieved something miraculous when Callum Brown kicked it in the Centre Square with a long range pass to Callaghan and dropped the footy to Conligio with the spin inside the 50 metre and launched it and bounced it all the way to the goal square to count it out as a goal, leaving the Giants lost for words. The Swans attempted another goal, which was prevented by the defense, so Gulden sprinted beyond the 50-metre line to kick it back to Logan McDonald, who saved it on his knees and was able to jump up and score for the Swans. McDonald was able to score another goal, and Franklin quickly followed a behind. While the Giants had alternative strategies, Cadman kicked it to Himmelberg, who plucked it and saved to take the mark before enacting to Hogan, who succeeded to save the footy at the goal square after his second catch, allowing the Giants to get an infinite goal. While Coniglio cleared it to Hogan, he took an instantaneous drop and handed it to Brent Daniels, who was able to score from the 50-metre line. The Swans finished the third quarter with McDonald catching the ball but dropping it, so Tom Paley took the sacrifice and scored.
The fourth quarter began with the Swans players passing it to each other while take knowledge of towards Ryan Clarke inside the 30 metre line, he scored a goal to resume the lead for Sydney which Luke Parker helped the Swans by being tackled in the 50 metre line, he ultimately kicked it and rolled it towards the goal square to get another miraculous goal to extend their lead. The Swans start the final quarter strongly, scoring two goals, one of which was a centre bounce. When Josh Kelly snatched the ball, he carried it out of the center square and kicked it to Harry Himmelberg into the metre circle, where he scored from a 40-metre range but had enough space for a simple goal. The Giants possessed plenty of time to catch up to the Swans since the game was still underway in the Final Quarter. When Heeney had the ball, he passed it to Paley, who kicked it to Marc Sheather, who almost seized the ball but somehow went high in the air, so Harry Rawston almost intercepted the footy, but Chad Warner kicked the ball for a screamer goal out of nowhere. The Swans remained dominant for the majority of the second half of the Sydney Derby, pushing the Giants to find a staggery in order to get closer in addition to win. Rowston swiftly passed it to Coniglio inside the centre square and kicked it to O’ Halloran, but it was quickly intercepted by Toby Greene, who kept the ball in the ground until the whistle sounded. Bedford had the opportunity, but it was too early to call it, but they tried it again with the clearance, and Hogan kicked a low ball by rolling it towards Jake Riccardi, but threw it to Toby Greene, who kicked it into the goal like a soccer ball, providing the Giants some hope. Toby Greene scores his third goal of the match, cutting the deficit to 17 points. He played a part to eight goals and all three of his inside 50s have resulted in goals. Coniglio dropped the ball from the defense and allowed it roll in the direction of Harry Perryman who kicked the goal and slide which he was able to accomplish before the two defensemen slip to dive which the Swans had failed to capitalize on in time. Tom Greene booted long enough for Toby Greene outside the 50 metre line, who let the ball float through the goal zone until Brent Daniels tried to receive it at the skip bounce but was unable to get the ball in time, resulting in a behind. There has been some teamwork in every passing move of the Giants that gives to footy from Callum Brown and Jack Buckley for the steal which somehow pass it to Brent Daniels but converts it to Josh Kelly and gives an immediate pass to James Peatling which shifts it to Tom Green and pass it to Harry Rowston but kicks it and dropped in the 25 metre which Toby Greene held it and stop the play. Harry Himmelberg eventually received the ball on the following play, but he booted it on to the right side of the goal to escape the traffic with a behind. The Giants were behind 95-105 with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but there was still time for a comeback. When Haynes took the back pocket to stop the ball, he ultimately kicked it from long distance to Harry Perryman, and Nick Blankey tried to defend it, but Perryman ran but dropped it, so Toby Bedford and Toby Greene collaborated up to have the ball, and Greene kicked it back to Perryman, who landed inside the 50 metre line. He took the kick at the 50-metre line and sailed it ahead for the Giants to receive the winning opportunity, which he converted with his second goal of the quarter, bringing his game total to three. This increases the lead to four points. The game was last led by GWS in the first few minutes of the third quarter. With only 5 minutes remaining, the Swans are seeking assistance in order to secure their victory by maintaining their lead. Parker booted a long distance to Lance Franklin but failed to convert it, then Will Hayward performed a rapid roll to Corey Warner, who kicked to the goal line but McDonald was unable to receive it in time, resulting in a behind. The Giants conducted an excellent job guarding the Swans, prevented them from getting the game-winning goal with several passes from the line of defense while maintaining the game competitive.
At the 2 Minute warning, The storm clouds were about to take over Sydney but it didn’t effect the match before the storm took over for another of rain on the way which Haynes started at the back pocket and kicks it to Lachie Ash but dropped the ball to Chad Warner and took long range to hope for the Swans to take the winning goal but a great catch from Jack Buckley before it went over the goal line which it would not count for the rushed behind which it would’ve been an important part for theGiants to level it up if they could’ve get the goal next. way. The Key Defender kicked it to Lachie Whitfield but put it out of bounds to Issac Cumming with the defense from Issac Heeney. It was the Swans ball and start it off with Stephen Coniglio which drop the ball to Conor Idun and gives it to Josh Kelly but held it in for the Giants to keep the play going. Kelly did the cross kick to Hayne in the back field while did a quick pass to Buckley and launches it to Toby Greene. After a quick stoppage in play, Greene launch it to Jesse Hogan and almost caught his hands to catch the footy which ended up to Toby Bedford which Nick Blankey pushed the ball out of bounds. Within 55 seconds left on the clock, it was all down to the wire to decide that would would determine the winner. Since it’s inside the Metre zone, that would allow Toby greene to capitalize a way to get the winning opptruinity by to be the playmaker of the match which it could be really important for the Giants to get a victory at this stage. The Referee throw the ball up in the air and let Peter Ladhams to get up front but Harry Himmelberg moved up front to get the ball first and almost got the mark which it was thrown away and pass it to Toby Greene after he was tackle by the Swans Defenseman. Toby Greene got the footy which took a quick spin to stay out from congestion, threw it on his right boot and watched it sail over and launches up into the air for the Giants to take the lead at last with 42 seconds remaining. The celebration was all over hugs from his teammates for the joy from Himmelberg for a quick pass the Capitan Greene Machine for an outstanding play which it was a perfect way to get themselves back the lead. The Swans has a little time left for a behind to tie the game or take the win for the goal but it could be the Giants Defense to take control for the final seconds to make every play count. The Swans took the clearance but Callum Mills failed to take control of the ball which the Giants Defense let it roll for Errol Gulden and launches it but Lachie Whitfield intercepted the ball to give the Giants and extra life of pendent with 30 seconds left remaining. He started off with a long kick to Matt Flynn which didn’t take the mark but Braeden Campbell from the Swans took it out of bounds. It was the last chance for the Swans to find a victory with 17 seconds left but it didnt last with Flynn but quickly drop and roll it to Xavier O’ Halloran which a quick steal to Chad Warner and ran it to give it to Mills and kicked it up in the edge of the centre square. There was no offense standing by which Whitfield intercept the footy which the referee did a quick stoppage and quickly play on the last 7 seconds. Whitfield quickly pass it to Finn Callaghan and snap the ball to Nick Haynes and launches the footy to center square which wrapped up the Match for the first victory for the Giants of the Battle of the Bridge match since 2021 during the Elimination Round and Round 5 of the regular season.
The pitch-black and turbulent clouds were about to take over Sydney at the 2 minute warning, but it didn’t affect the match before the storm took over for an additional of the rain on the way which Haynes started at the back pocket and kicked it to Lachie Ash but dropped the ball to Chad Warner and took long range to hope for the Swans to take the winning goal but a great catch from Jack Buckley before it went over the goal line which it wouldn’t go either way. With the defense of Isaac Heeney, the Key Defender kicked it to Lachie Whitfield but put it out of bounds to Issac Cumming. It was the Swans’ ball, and it began with Stephen Coniglio, who passed the ball to Conor Idun, who subsequently handed it to Josh Kelly, who held it in for the Giants to continue the play. Kelly launched the cross kick to Hayne in the backfield before passing to Buckley and launching it to Toby Greene. After a brief pause in play, Greene sent it to Jesse Hogan, narrowly catching his hands to receive the ball, which ended up to Toby Bedford, who was shoved out of bounds by Nick Blankey. With just 55 seconds remaining on the clock, it was all down to the wire to decide who was going to prevail. Given that it’s inside the Metre zone, Toby Greene would be competent to capitalize on an excellent opportunity through his role as the match’s playmaker, which could be important for the Giants at this stage. The referee tossed the ball up in the air and allowed Peter Ladhams to go up front, however Harry Himmelberg moved ahead of him initially and almost grabbed the mark before it was thrown away, passing it to Toby Greene after he was tackled by a Swans defenseman. Toby Greene received the ball, rotated as quickly to prevent crowding, threw it on his right boot, and saw it go over and up into the air for the Giants to finally retrieve the lead with 42 seconds remaining. Celebrations from his teammates after the excitement of Himmelberg with a rapid pass to Capitan Greene Machine for an excellent decision that was an excellent strategy for getting themselves back in front. The Swans have a little time left to tie the game or triumph for the goal, but the Giants defense might seize control for the last seconds to make every play matter. The Swans took the clearance, but Callum Mills failed to take control of the ball, which the Giants defense facilitated roll for Errol Gulden, who blasted it, however Lachie Whitfield intercepted it, earning the Giants an additional life with 30 seconds remaining. He started with a long kick to Matt Flynn, which failed to reach the mark but was taken out of bounds with Swans’ Braeden Campbell. With 17 seconds remained it was the Swans’ last chance to claim the victory, but Flynn immediately dropped and rolled the ball towards Xavier O’ Halloran, who quickly stole it and raced it to throw it to Mills, who booted it up in the edge of the centre square. There was no offense available when Whitfield intercepted the ball, and the referee called a brief pause and rapid play on the last 7 seconds. Whitfield swiftly passed the ball to Finn Callaghan, who snapped the ball to Nick Haynes, who launched the football to center square, concluding the match for the Giants’ first victory in the Battle of the Bridge match since 2021 during the Elimination Round and Round 5 of the regular season.
A thrilling finish to the ‘Battle of the Bridge’, with the Giants finishing strong with the last four goals of the game.The match comes to a close after a thrilling match with the Battle of the Bridge Derby which, there was the Brett Kirk Medal to be awarded. Brett Kirk, a Sydney Swans AFL premiership player who was born and reared in New South Wales, was honored with this speciality award. The participant who receives this Award is Toby Greene because of his outstanding bravery and encouragement for helping the Giants to not surrender a tough battle of the Sydney Derby and brought light at the end of the tunnel.
SYDNEY 3.2 7.5 13.9 16.10 (106)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.1 9.3 12.3 17.5 (107)
GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 3, Hayward 3, McDonald 3, Warner, Parker, Papley, McLean, Ladhams, Gulden, Clarke
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 4, Perryman 3, O’Halloran 2, Hogan 2, Coniglio 2, Himmelberg, Daniels, Cadman, Bedford
BEST
Sydney: Parker, Hayward, Warner, Gulden, Ladhams, Lloyd
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Coniglio, Callaghan, Green, Perryman
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Greater Western Sydney Giants: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Marc Sheather (replaced Angus Sheldrick in fourth quarter)
Greater Western Sydney: Harry Rowston (replaced Aaron Cadman in fourth quarter)
Crowd: 31,615 at the SCG