Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

The Charlie Curnow performance was a major talking point after Sydney Swans fell to Hawthorn by 17 points in their AFL Round 2 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday night. Curnow started strongly but faded out of the contest in the second half, finishing with 2.1 from seven disposals. The result matters for Sydney as they continue to adjust their forward structure early in the AFL season. Hawthorn’s defensive setup, led by Tom Barrass, played a key role in limiting Curnow’s impact.

Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox addressed the performance after the match, describing Curnow’s role in the team as still developing. The Swans showed early attacking intent, but their forward entries dropped in quality as the game progressed. Hawthorn capitalised on that shift, tightening their defensive structure and controlling key moments late in the match.

For more updates across the competition, fans can follow the AFL news section.

Match Summary

Charlie Curnow made an immediate impact in the opening quarter, kicking two goals and providing a clear target inside 50. His early contest with Hawthorn defender Josh Battle suggested he could dominate the forward line. However, the match turned once Tom Barrass was assigned to him in the second half.

Barrass produced a standout defensive performance, finishing with 11 intercepts and 10 spoils. His ability to read the play disrupted Sydney’s attacking flow and forced the Swans to adjust their approach. As the pressure built, Sydney struggled to deliver clean entries, making it harder for Curnow to influence the contest.

Tactical Shift and Forward Entry Issues

Dean Cox pointed to Sydney’s ball movement as a key factor behind Curnow’s second half drop off. The Swans moved the ball with speed in the first half, giving their forward line better opportunities. That tempo slowed after halftime, allowing Hawthorn to set up defensively.

“I think the first half we had some speed on the ball that worked well (and) gave him some good looks inside 50,” Cox told reporters on Thursday night.

“I think the second half, our ability to execute centre-forward dropped away. I think at one stage we had 17 per cent scores-per-inside-50 in the last quarter, 38 in the first, nine in the second.

“So, some of our entries, method, execution didn’t help - and he’s playing on some really strong defenders.

“It’s something we’ve got to work through with him and the side as well.”

Curnow Still Adapting to System

Cox defended Curnow when asked about his role in the Swans forward line, making it clear the transition is ongoing. The coach highlighted the challenges of building cohesion during preseason and the need for consistency in match situations.

“Yeah, definitely (he’s still learning),” Cox said.

“I think the hard part to do it is through the preseason - you’re playing yourself. So, do you put your backs on your forwards? Do you try and get cohesion between backs, mids and forwards on one team?

“So, the ability for Charlie to perform consistently is still working his way through at our football club. One thing we try and say is, at all times, compete as hard as you possibly can, and try and read the cues up the ground when we are bringing the ball through.

“There’s some inconsistencies throughout that at times, and it’ll be a work in progress that we’re going to put time into.”

Expert Analysis and Defensive Battle

Fox Footy analyst Jason Dunstall highlighted the turning point when Barrass took control of the matchup. Curnow was restricted to just one disposal across the second half, limiting Sydney’s ability to maintain attacking pressure.

“He had an interesting duel with Josh Battle early, then Tom Barrass went to him in the second half and just destroyed him. He had one possession in the second half,” Dunstall said.

“That made life really difficult for Sydney, when you’ve haven’t got a key forward that is giving you something or being that target you can kick to with confidence.”

Leigh Montagna also pointed to effort and positioning as areas for improvement.

“Maybe there were times … where Curnow just didn’t will himself into the contest enough to bring it to ground, and allowed Barrass to do what he pleased.”

Dunstall added that work rate remains essential.

“You can get beaten on the day by a good player — no problems there. (But) you can’t get outworked. That’s the one non-negotiable.”

What the Result Means for Sydney Swans

The loss highlights areas Sydney Swans need to address, particularly in their forward structure and ball delivery. The drop in efficiency inside 50 during the second half showed how quickly momentum can shift in AFL matches.

For Charlie Curnow, the performance reflects both his potential impact and the challenges of adjusting to a new system. The Swans coaching staff are expected to continue refining their approach to maximise his strengths in upcoming rounds. Fans can follow updates in the AFL news section​