Swans down Suns on soggy Gold Coast

Sydney have claimed a 38-point AFL win over Gold Coast in atrocious conditions at Metricon Stadium.

Sydney's James Rose (centre) competes for the ball

Sydney have claimed a 38-point AFL win over Gold Coast in atrocious conditions at Metricon Stadium. (AAP)

Sydney have overcome Gold Coast at a sodden Metricon Stadium to claim their third AFL win in a row.

The Swans once again proved their wet-weather credentials with the 11.13 (79) to 6.5 (41) victory on Saturday night.

The low-scoring affair was no surprise given more than 200mm of rain fell on the stadium turf in over 24 hours.

The conditions also kept the crowd low, with an official attendance of just 4368.

Swans pair Gary Rohan and Luke Parker were the only players to kick multiple goals, with two apiece for the visitors, who trailed by 11 points at the end of the first quarter but then turned the screw on the Suns.

Tom Mitchell was a star for the visitors, keeping a tight watch on Suns skipper Gary Ablett and picking up a goal in the third term.

Kurt Tippett was another to shine in the wet for the Swans, notching 50 hit-outs and 16 disposals.

Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy were also impressive.

The win means the Swans stay second on the ladder with nine wins and two losses.

The Suns' defeat was their eighth in a row, and they suffered a late blow when key forward Tom Lynch was placed on report for striking Jeremy Laidler in the final quarter.

Recruit Matt Rosa made an instant impact on his return from a hamstring injury for the hosts, claiming 33 disposals and laying four tackles.

Ablett tried hard despite the attentions of the impressive Mitchell, with the dual Brownlow Medallist putting on 13 tackles in a game played largely at ground level.

Midfield pair Dion Prestia and Touk Miller were also busy, and picked up more than 30 disposals each for Gold Coast.

Swans coach John Longmire said the conditions had turned the game into a lottery and just some moments of class from players like Rohan had proven crucial.

"It was just so wet, just a slogfest," Longmire said.

"He (Rohan) did a couple of really good things for us at important times and that was crucial to be able to do that.

"Those things in those instances are important when it's just such a slog."

The Swans lost George Hewett early after a first-quarter knock due to concussion and he'll be monitored through the week to determine his fitness for next weekend's derby against GWS.

Suns coach Rodney Eade was confident a knee knock to midfielder Jesse Lonergan wouldn't rule him out of next Sunday's clash with Richmond.

Eade was less impressed by the late infringement from Lynch, which he felt shouldn't result in more than a fine but showed poor leadership from the Suns' vice-captain.

"Laidlaw stayed on and was okay, so I don't think there was anything in it but, from our point of view, it was totally undisciplined for a leader," Eade said.


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Source: AAP


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