Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMThursday Fallout: Brittle Dogs defence rears its ugly head as Swans feast
SEN • April 24th, 2026 8:42 am
When your key defensive stocks are already considered brittle by many, and then you lose your best two in that position, it rarely ends well.
That was the case at Marvel Stadium last night when the Western Bulldogs copped a third straight 40+ point defeat. On 2016 flag reunion night no less.
Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell went out of Luke Beveridge’s team and were replaced by the inexperienced Jedd Busslinger and Ryan Gardner, who had played one senior game since the end of 2023.
That left Buku Khamis to lead the defensive line, with support from the two aforementioned players, against Charlie Curnow and Joel Amartey in particular.
And they could smell blood.
That duo kicked all seven of Sydney’s first-half goals, keeping the Swans in the game, before the floodgates opened after half-time.
It was a key forward feast.
The Dogs’ defensive issues were there for all to see last year. Things were looking in decent shape, but that specific problem has reared its ugly head again. It was always going to be their downfall
Just a matter of three weeks ago their season looked in pretty darn good shape. Now it’s up in smoke, for the time being anyway.
Tim English is a huge loss. The side has been battered in his absence. And let’s hope Aaron Naughton is ok, because they can ill-afford another key forward going down after Sam Darcy’s season-ending knee.
Did Bevo walk under a ladder?
Freo, Port, Carlton and Melbourne in the next four weeks. You’d think they’d need at least two wins from that lot to avoid a free-fall while they rally the troops.
But it wasn’t any old team that beat them.
The Sydney Swans are a serious outfit, and put the Dogs to the sword despite superstar Isaac Heeney missing, as well as a handy little player named Errol Gulden.
Dean Cox has the Swannies humming.
Their ball movement was at times sizzling under the roof. Their coast to coast stuff was breathtaking, they had winners all over the ground and Curnow was inspired to bag seven majors.
Chad Warner was electric, Brodie Grundy was great again, Matt Roberts is growing rapidly, Tom Papley a constant source of energy and Tom McCartin is having some sort of season.
The Swans are primed for a flag assault, on top with a 6-1 record and a mammoth percentage of 178. Things are in excellent order.
Dees, Roos, Pies and Cats over the next four. Could they be 10-1 or 9-2 after 11?
Look out...
Andrew Slevison
