Bugg floors Mills with massive punch
Sydney have continued their astonishing AFL turnaround, downing Melbourne by 35 points in a hot-tempered Friday night clash.
Lance Franklin booted four majors as Sydney powered their way to an 11.19 (85) to 7.8 (50) victory at the MCG.
NOT ACCEPTED: Mills 'rejects apology' from 'embarrassed' Bugg
Melbourne kicked four goals in quick succession to lead at quarter-time but quickly ran out of puff and were thoroughly outplayed.
The impressive win - Sydney's fourth in a row - propels them into the top eight after a 0-6 start to the season.
But it was marred by an ugly behind-play hit on Callum Mills from Melbourne's Tomas Bugg, which left the Swans youngster concussed.
Bugg was reported after knocking out Mills with a nasty left hook to the chin in the opening minutes of Friday night's game.
The 24-year-old is likely to be referred directly to the tribunal, and after a week where the fallout from Bachar Houli's hit on Jed Lamb dominated the headlines, Bugg could face a lengthy suspension.
Melbourne also went a man down after halftime with co-captain Jack Viney succumbing to a foot injury.
Mills' night is done.
A huge loss so early in the game but his health is paramount. Let's hope he's okay.#AFLDeesSwans— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 30, 2017
The Dees were coming off their third consecutive six-day break and were without stars Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts and Nathan Jones.
It was nonetheless a flat performance from Melbourne after big wins over West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
Sydney dominated from the early going but were wayward in front of goal, booting 1.8 compared to Melbourne's 4.0 as the Dees quickly capitalised on a brief period of control.
The Swans maintained their outstanding forward pressure in the second term and had reward for effort when Franklin kicked truly after a strong contested mark.
Franklin's sweet set shot opened the floodgates, with goals to Heeney, Kieren Jack and Tom Papley putting the Swans 20 points up at halftime.
Christian Petracca (19 touches, two goals) fought hard for the Dees.
Bugg's verdict will surely come under scrutiny after Bachar Houli's controversial visit to the AFL tribunal earlier in the week, for this hit on Jed Lamb.