Demons go down fighting in Sydney

MELBOURNE has refused to go down without a fight, battling back hard in the final term to cause some nervy late moments for the ladder-leading Swans at home.

Sydney snapped Melbourne’s unblemished 3:15pm Sunday record at the SCG with a 17-point win that was set up by an unheralded off-season recruit.

08:45

RD 8 | Post-match Media Conference | Steven King

Watch Melbourne’s press conference after round eight’s match against Sydney

AFL
00:45

Highlights

Highlights

'Don't write the Dees off yet': Dazzling double opens door

Bailey Laurie turns through a skilful finish before Tom Sparrow's super stoppage goal cuts the margin

AFL
00:48

Highlights

Highlights

Scintillating Dees electrify early with awesome double

Jacob van Rooyen snaps an impressive finish from the boundary before Caleb Windsor activates the jets for a running beauty

AFL

While the Dees initially slowed the tempo by clogging the corridor—triggering a seesawing first half with eight lead changes—they ultimately struggled to contain Sydney's efficiency.

Despite Melbourne holding slight advantages in clearances (45-43) and centre clearances (21-16), the Swans dominated territory with 63 inside-50s.

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Isaac Heeney overcame a slow start in his return from calf soreness to finish with 33 disposals, while James Jordon kept a tight leash on Kysaiah Pickett for much of the first half.

The game turned on the brilliance of Malcolm Rosas Jnr. After a scrappy opening, he ignited the Swans by slotting five goals before half-time.

Though Jacob van Rooyen and Harry Sharp kept the Dees within two points at the first break, the loss of marquee recruit Brody Mihocek to a hamstring injury left Melbourne’s structure compromised.

Sydney seized control in the second term, piling on seven of nine goals to establish a 22-point half-time buffer. The surge continued in the third as Justin McInerney and Charlie Curnow pushed the margin to 34 points.

Melbourne refused to fold, launching a late charge led by Kozzy Pickett to slash the deficit to just 11 points in the dying stages.

However, Rosas Jnr effectively killed the contest with his sixth and seventh majors, before a late 50m penalty allowed Joel Amartey to ice the game with his fourth goal, staving off the Demons' final surge.

Rosas Jnr’s record-breaking day out

Malcolm Rosas Jnr enjoyed a prolific day out, booting a career-high seven goals to dismantle Melbourne’s defensive structures. Roaming inside 50 with impunity, the livewire became the first Swan since Ben Ronke in 2018 to kick five goals in a single half, including the match-opener. By half-time, he had amassed eight disposals — seven of them kicks — as the Demons struggled to contain him in space. Rosas Jnr added two more after the main break to secure the win, marking just the fifth time a Sydney player has recorded seven or more goals in a decade.

Mihocek injury forces Demons re-shuffle

Melbourne was dealt a significant blow in the opening term as recruit Brody Mihocek retreated to the rooms with a left hamstring injury. The veteran played no further part after the setback, which occurred while tackling Lewis Melican. His absence forced Jacob van Rooyen and Max Heath to play taller, while captain Max Gawn spent extended periods forward. This left Heath to shoulder the primary ruck load against a dominant Brodie Grundy. At 33, Mihocek is no stranger to soft-tissue issues, having missed significant time with a similar injury back in 2024.

Gawn move fails to spoil Grundy’s milestone moment

With Brody Mihocek sidelined, the anticipated ruck duel between Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy was diluted as the Demons captain was forced forward. Gawn made an immediate impact, kicking first-quarter and third-term majors to keep Melbourne in touch, despite copping a knock to the mouth. In response, Grundy anchored the Swans' engine room, dominating the air with 45 hit-outs to eclipse Gawn (22) and Max Heath (16). After hitting the post in the second, Grundy eventually found the goals in the final term, capping a milestone performance where he consistently outpointed his former teammates.

SYDNEY 5.2 10.8 13.14 19.17 (131)
MELBOURNE 5.4 7.4 10.8 17.12 (114)

GOALS
Sydney: Rosas Jnr 7, Amartey 4, McDonald 3, McInerney, Papley, Curnow, Lloyd, Grundy
Melbourne: Sharp 2, Gawn 2, K.Pickett 2, Van Rooyen 2, Windsor, Jefferson, Heath, Laurie, Sparrow, Chandler, L.Pickett, Turner, Langford

BEST
Sydney: Rosas Jnr, Grundy, Mills, Heeney, Amartey
Melbourne: K.Pickett, Sparrow, Gawn, Sharp, Windsor

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Melbourne: Mihocek (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Sydney: Nil
Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: 46,673 at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Latrelle Pickett of the Demons warms up ahead of the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons warms up during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jake Lever of the Demons warms up during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jake Lever of the Demons warms up ahead of the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Latrelle Pickett of the Demons warms up during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kade Chandler of the Demons warms up before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jack Steele of the Demons warms up before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons warms up before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Harrison Petty of the Demons warms up before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Koltyn Tholstrup of the Demons warms up before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn leads the Demons out before the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons marks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Latrelle Pickett of the Demons runs the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons runs with the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons evades a tackled by Chad Warner of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Latrelle Pickett of the Demons attempts to mark the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Brodie Grundy of the Swans and Max Gawn of the Demons compete in a ruck contest during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons is tackled by William Edwards of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Caleb Windsor of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons marks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons attempts to mark the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Brodie Grundy of the Swans competes for the ball against Max Gawn of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Koltyn Tholstrup of the Demons kicks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal with Paddy Cross of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons kicks a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Blake Howes of the Demons handballs during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Harry Sharp of the Demons kicks a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: William Edwards of the Swans is tackled by Caleb Windsor of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Ed Langdon of the Demons handballs during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jake Lever of the Demons runs with the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Charlie Curnow of the Swans competes with Daniel Turner of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons reaches for the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons competes for the ball against Brodie Grundy of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons tackles Jai Serong of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Sam Wicks of the Swans competes with Harry Sharp of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons kicks during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons celebrates with team mates after kicking a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Justin McInerney of the Swans is tackled by Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons is tackled by Callum Mills of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons and William Edwards of the Swans compete for tge ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons and William Edwards of the Swans compete for the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Heath of the Demons is tackled by William Edwards of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Brodie Grundy of the Swans and Max Gawn of the Demons /crduring the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Harrison Petty of the Demons competes for the ball against Logan McDonald of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Harrison Petty of the Demons in action during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Kade Chandler of the Demons kicks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons marks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons marks the ball during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bailey Laurie of the Demons kicks a goal during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Harry Sharp of the Demons is tackled by Dane Rampe of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons is tackled by Nick Blakey of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Max Gawn of the Demons hand balls during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 03, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Koltyn Tholstrup of the Demons handballs during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jack Steele of the Demons tackles Dane Rampe of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Latrelle Pickett of the Demons is tackled by Sam Wicks of the Swans during the round eight AFL match between Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos)

Demons go down fighting in Sydney

RD 8 | Post-match Media Conference | Steven King

'Don't write the Dees off yet': Dazzling double opens door

Scintillating Dees electrify early with awesome double

Rosas Jnr’s record-breaking day out

Mihocek injury forces Demons re-shuffle

Gawn move fails to spoil Grundy’s milestone moment