AFL 2024 Opening Round: Sydney Swans defeat Melbourne Demons by 22 points in season opener

So a poor first half broke out into a competitive game of footy into the second but the Swans were far too strong in the final quarter.

Plenty to think about for Melbourne with their forward line other than Fritsch failing to fire.

40,000 fans turned out in what was a good night for the AFL. Next up is Brisbane and Carlton which should be a cracker.

Bye for now.

“It’s good to be back out on the park and playing footy,” he said to Seven.

“It was good to get the win and I’m proud of how I performed tonight but it’s a long season and there’s a long way to go.”

Grundy finished with 22 disposals 31 hit outs and nine clearances in a massive statement. The Swans will be licking their lips with that performance.

It was just a two-points at three-quarter time by Sydney were utterly dominant thereafter with four straight goals to kill the game.

Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy were excellent for the Swans while Jack Viney and Bailey Fritsch did what they could for the Demons but there was a lack of spark when they needed it.

He’s been the Demons only reliable forward tonight.

He gets a free kick and grabs his fourth goal of the night.

40,018 have turned out on a steamy night in Sydney. The capacity of the SCG is 48,000 for reference.

It’s only the 13th time the SCG have had that many in the ground.

Another ball is sent in and Jake Lever fails to put a body on McDonald allowing him a free run at the ball. Steven May is screaming at his teammate.

McDonald makes no mistake on the set shot to get into the game late.

Smart work from Van Rooyen who’s falling over in the goal square but somehow gets his leg up to get something on it to kick it over his own head for a desperately needed goal.