Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns LIVE: AFL round five 2026, scores, results, odds, stats and start time from Norwood Oval in Adelaide
The Swans plant their flag in season 2026 with a convincing 32-point win over Gold Coast.
This was the performance of a team with genuine claims of being a top-four side.
They were too tough for the Suns, who could not handle the pressure of a 96-52 tackle count. The Swans relished the narrow dimensions of Norwood Oval, which, on paper, should have suited the Suns’ game.
Mark down Isaac Heeney for the three Brownlow votes for his 33 disposals, 18 contested possessions and two goals. Tom McCartin was excellent in defence with 24 disposals while holding Ben King to five touches and two goals.
Charlie Curnow had a frustrating night with four behinds but did a lot of other stuff right with a game-high three contested grabs, and competed hard to bring the ball to ground when out of position.
The Suns were beaten for contested possessions, which is a strength, and could not generate consistent flow in their play. Dan Rioli was hardly sighted, managing just 10 disposals. I thought he may have had his day shortened by an ankle injury from the first term but he played 75 per cent of game time for not much impact.
Sydney 14.16 (100) Gold Coast 9.14 (68)
