New-look Sydney attack sends warning signs to competition

Star recruit Charlie Curnow kicked four goals and had seven shots in his first unofficial outing in Sydney colours.

The key forward worked his way into the match brilliantly against a Western Bulldogs defence weakened by the absence of Rory Lobb.

Curnow was the focal point of the forward line and had the strength to dictate terms in one-on-one contests, mostly against James O'Donnell and Buku Khamis.

The two-time Coleman Medalist kicked 32 goals in 2025, his lowest tally since 2021 as speculation was rife about his future before making the move North.

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Since the retirement of Lance Franklin in 2023, the Swans have not had a clear spearhead until Curnow, who demanded significant opposition attention and commanded the footy.

Midfielder Errol Gulden linked up with Curnow on three occasions, providing an entree of what's to come.

Pleasingly, it was not just Curnow doing the damage inside 50, with Logan McDonald also kicking four goals and Malcolm Rosas junior slotting two.

They combined for nine of the first 10 goals, with the other a delightful Isaac Heeney snap from the boundary line. 

It was particularly pleasing to see McDonald launch for some grabs inside 50 after his entire 2025 campaign was ruined by injury, while Rosas played with sizzle.

That trio of forwards were serviced by a midfield that got on top of a Dogs midfield featuring Tom Liberatore, Joel Freijah, Ryley Sanders, Rhylee West and Luke Kennedy.

Errol Gulden glided through traffic to kick the first goal of the last quarter, highlighting a particularly dangerous second half, while Isaac Heeney's starpower came to the fore and James Rowbottom was typically hard-working.