Overview
- Sydney beat GWS by 41 points on Friday night at the SCG, staying top at 5-1 with a 17.5 (107) to 8.18 (66) result.
- A lightning storm near the ground forced an extra‑long half-time of more than an hour under AFL safety rules.
- GWS created more shots at goal yet missed too many, with coach Adam Kingsley saying wayward finishing cost them.
- Nick Blakey won the newly named Kirk‑Ward Medal as best on ground, finishing with 34 disposals and a long-range goal.
- Forward lines told the story, with GWS missing Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman and Sydney’s Charlie Curnow kicking three as he settles into a new role.