AFL Friday double-header LIVE: Cats and Dogs clash, Sydney derby lights up SCG

Swans coach Dean Cox has backed star forward Charlie Curnow to keep shrugging off criticism from sections of the media after the forward kicked three goals in the team’s 41-point Sydney Derby victory over the Giants at the SCG.

“When good players certainly move to a club, they’re expected to perform really well every week,” Cox said.

“That’s the nature of the beast, and Charlie’s role has been a new one within our football club, and he’s still getting used to players up the ground and how we move the ball. I think it’s about him and the collective, as I’ve always said.

“Charlie’s no different tonight, it was great to see him get on the end of it and get some reward for effort.

A knee injury to Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy overshadowed Jeremy Cameron’s 10 goals in a stunning performance by Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

Darcy fell to the ground clutching his left knee as he led out towards the ball during the second quarter before the Bulldogs suffered further carnage on the injury front with Tom Liberatore concussed and key defenders James O’Donnell and Rory Lobb both injuring their hamstrings in their side’s 75-point loss, 19.17 (131) to 8.8 (56).

The Bulldogs’ shocking run overshadowed the Cats’ brilliant performance as they annihilated their opponents from start to finish with Cameron kicking seven goals in the first half to help his team to a 57-point lead at half-time.

The Swans have beaten the Giants by 41 points after shaking down the thunder from the sky and an hour-and-four-minute lightning delay.

We have passed the 11pm curfew time in Moore Park, so comically the Swans’ victory song was played on a lower volume.

In 32 editions of the Sydney derby, this was definitely one of the scrappiest, not helped by the delay, nor the conditions. Without really getting out of fourth gear, the Swans still won with game with ease.

There was a brief revival for the Giants in the third term, but they couldn’t capitalise on their scoring opportunities.

Cats superstar Bailey Smith took the opportunity in his post-match interview with Seven to make a plea for the AFL to introduce a men’s mental health round, following the tragic death of Crows skipper Jordan Dawson’s older brother Jaryd, and Elijah Hollands’ mental health episode on Thursday night.

“There’s one thing I want to touch on, which is maybe out of pocket, but I just want to shout out the Dawson family this week and Elijah Hollands last night,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’m out of pocket saying it, but I think it’s about time the AFL get a men’s mental health round.

“It makes you feel sick during the week, and hopefully the AFL community wraps our arms around them and we can do something.