Sydney Swans Extend Winning Streak to Five with Thrilling Victory Over Melbourne

Sydney 19.17 (131) defeated Melbourne 17.12 (114) at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The win propelled the Swans to the top of the AFL ladder.

Round Eight: Sydney vs. Melbourne

Match Overview

• Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
• Crowd: 40,673
• Notable Attendee: Actress Sydney Sweeney
• Lead Changes: Eight lead changes in the first half
• Inside-50s: Sydney recorded 63 inside-50s

Quarter-by-Quarter Scores

Goal Scorers

Sydney: Malcolm Rosas Jr. 7, Joel Amartey 4, Logan McDonald 3, Tom Papley 1, Justin McInerney 1, Jake Lloyd 1, Brodie Grundy 1, Charlie Curnow 1.

Melbourne: Harry Sharp 2, Max Gawn 2, Kysaiah Pickett 2, Jacob van Rooyen 2, Kozzy Pickett 1, Caleb Windsor 1, Tom Sparrow 1, Bailey Laurie 1, Matt Jefferson 1, Jacob Heath 1, Josh Chandler 1, Harvey Langford 1, Judd Turner 1.

Player Performances

Malcolm Rosas Jr. scored a career-high seven goals for Sydney, including five by halftime. He kicked the first goal of the match and added four more in a six-minute burst after quarter time. Rosas Jr. became the first Sydney player since Ben Ronke (2018) to kick five goals in a half. His previous career-best was four goals, set in 2023.

Brodie Grundy played his 250th match and recorded 45 hit-outs, while Melbourne's Max Gawn managed 22 hit-outs and Max Heath contributed 16.

Best Players - Sydney: Rosas Jr., Grundy, Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney, Joel Amartey.
Best Players - Melbourne: Kysaiah Pickett, Tom Sparrow, Max Gawn, Harry Sharp, Caleb Windsor.

Injuries

Melbourne recruit Brody Mihocek sustained a left hamstring injury in the first quarter and did not return. He is expected to miss multiple matches.

Team Statistics

Melbourne recorded 45 clearances to Sydney's 43, and 21 centre clearances to Sydney's 16.

Coach Statements

Sydney coach Dean Cox said Rosas Jr. was brought in to add a different element to the forward line and that he took his opportunities.

Melbourne coach Steven King said he was disappointed with the result but proud of the team's fight. King, who previously coached Rosas Jr. at Gold Coast, said he understood how good a player Rosas Jr. is and that he has been a great pick-up for Sydney.

Player Statement

"I got lucky. It was just falling into my lap. I just take my opportunities."
— Malcolm Rosas Jr.

Background

Rosas Jr. was traded from Gold Coast in October 2025 along with pick No. 62 in exchange for picks 51 and 69. He played 49 games for Gold Coast over six seasons. Rosas Jr. is the grandson of AFL Indigenous Team of the Century member Bill Dempsey. In the 2026 season, he has scored 13 goals in seven games.

Round Thirteen: Sydney vs. St Kilda

Sydney 15.14 (104) defeated St Kilda 15.12 (102) at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 7, 2026, in another nail-biting finish.

Match Summary

• Sydney recovered from a 33-point deficit in the second quarter.
• Jai Serong kicked the match-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining.
• Crowd: 42,143

Goal Scorers

Sydney: Jai Serong 1, Charlie Curnow 2, Joel Amartey 1, Hayden McLean 2, Malcolm Rosas Jr. 2, and others.

St Kilda: Liam Ryan 5, Cooper Sharman 2, Tom De Koning 1, Max Hall 1, Mitch Owens 1, Darcy Wilson 1, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera 1, Bradley Hill 1.

Player Performances

• St Kilda's Liam Ryan kicked five goals.
• Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera recorded 18 disposals in the first half.
• Sydney's best players included Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Logan McDonald, and Jai Serong.

Injuries

Sydney: Justin McInerney (hamstring) was substituted at half-time. Tom McCartin (concussion) did not return after a collision. Coach Dean Cox confirmed McCartin did not undergo an HIA but was ruled out by medical staff. McInerney will have scans for his hamstring.

St Kilda: No injuries reported.

Coach Statement

Sydney coach Dean Cox said the team showed belief and rallied when challenged.