Sydney supporters can finally take a deep breath after a tense encounter that saw their team nearly slip on a blue and white striped banana peel. The Swans have been the dominant force in the first half of 2026, but they faced a fierce challenge from the rising North Melbourne side. Despite a tough battle, the Swans’ superior class shone through in the final stages, allowing them to reclaim the top position on the ladder.
Nick Blakey, who played a crucial role in the match, was a key figure in the game as he sliced through the Roos’ defense with his agility and skill. However, Blakey suffered a shoulder injury early in the game and had to leave the field temporarily. He later returned to the pitch and acknowledged the effort of his opponents after a fiercely contested match between the two teams.
“When you have no shoulders and no muscle on you and Tristan Xerri is running through you, it’s bound to hurt,” Blakey said post-match on the Fox Footy broadcast.
“It was bloody tough, North are in some great form. We probably aren’t at our best, but their pressure was unreal. There was a reunion for the ’96 flag, and they came out and played like a lot of those boys and had a lot of Shinboner spirit.
“It’s exciting; we are 8-1.
“Last few weeks, we probably haven’t been at our best, but we are still scoring over 100 points, and they scored about 90 today, but we usually defend pretty well as well. We are in a good spot.
“But there’s no point being good now; we need to be good at the end of the year. A long way to go.”
That last statement carries particular weight for Sydney, considering the Swans have often been strong but have struggled in their last two grand finals against Brisbane in 2024 (lost by 60) and Geelong in 2022 (lost by 81).
Blakey recorded 26 disposals during the game, with some of his kicks leaving fans in awe. The 26-year-old is currently in excellent form and is on track for a second All-Australian blazer. Reflecting on his role within the team, Blakey expressed confidence in his position.
“I have a pretty good role,” he said. “It’s play high and try to test (the opposition) out, and my teammates really fill me with confidence, and the other five backs really have my back out there, and they let me do what I do.
“There’s probably not a whole lot of running back to goals, but that’s my role, and if I can bridge that gap between defence and offence, that’s when I’m at my best, and I think I’ve been able to do that to start the year. My teammates put me in great spots, and I work off them.”
