MELBOURNE: The Sydney Swans began the defense of their 2012 Australian Football League title with a 30-point win over the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Despite falling behind in the first quarter when the Giants kicked five consecutive goals, the Swans dominated for much of the rest of the game for a 16.10 (106) to 11.10 (76) Australian Rules football victory.
On Sunday, Jay Schulz kicked four goals as Port Adelaide beat Melbourne 19.19 (133) to 8.6 (54) and Collingwood defeated North Melbourne 15.13 (103) to 13.9 (87).
Captain Gary Ablett kicked four goals, including three in the final quarter, to lead the Gold Coast Suns to a 13.12 (90) to 10.17 (77) win over St. Kilda.
Suns coach Guy McKenna said Ablett is a better player than his father, Gary Ablett Sr., the former Geelong star and AFL hall of fame member.
“Gary’s humble enough to say his old man is better than he is, I would beg to differ,” McKenna said.
The Western Bulldogs dominated Brisbane from the outset to beat the Lions by 68 points, 19.13 (127) to 7.17 (59).
Richmond beat Carlton for the first time in five years, defeating the Blues 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101) in front of 80,971 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Hawthorn plays Geelong on Monday to conclude the first round.
Swans begin defense of title with 1st-round win
