Forward-turned-defender Sam Wicks' move from one end to the other was justified on Friday night at the SCG after curbing Nick Watson's influence on the game.
Despite the 20-point loss to Hawthorn, Sydney coach Dean Cox's first match in charge could take plenty of positives from the club's season opener.
The Swans didn't have many winners over the park, but Wicks' positional shift can be deemed a success, albeit a very minimal sample size.
The 25-year-old kept the 'Wizard' Watson to a measly four possessions and 81 metres gained in 74 per cent game time.
There were also multiple occasions where Watson was caught holding the ball by Sydney players, notably by Wicks and his perceived pressure.
Wicks himself had 18 disposals (nine intercept possessions), four tackles and four score involvements.
Cox said: "I thought Sam Wicks was unbelievable. I thought he had a really, really strong game.
🗣️ "I thought Sam Wicks was unbelievable. I thought he had a really, really strong game."
- Dean Cox after Wicks' job on Nick Watson, holding the Hawk to four disposals and no score, while collecting 18 disposals of his own #AFLSwansHawks pic.twitter.com/CxweCHQmeE
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 7, 2025
"I said to the players, his ability to get changed in a pre-season and go from trying to create goals to cut very crafty small forwards out of the game, he's had a great pre-season and he took that in.
"What Watson was able to do for a long period of time and in finals, for Sam to be able to cut that out, and generate a little bit of ball was very impressive."
Wicks also led the side in coaches votes, securing five from a combination of Cox and Sam Mitchell, as teammates Nick Blakey and Chad Warner picked up one each.
Teammate James Rowbottom was confident in Wicks' ability to play as a lockdown defender, saying he had the tenacity to match it with the game's best small forward.
"Wicksy is enjoying (the switch)," Rowbottom told Zero Hanger last week.
"He's got a bit of mongrel in him so he'll be able to play on some smaller forwards and give them hell."
Sydney will be seeking redemption this weekend, not only for their Round 1 loss to Hawthorn but also to avenge last year's grand final defeat when they take on Brisbane.
The Swans will host the reigning premiers at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
