Summary
Well, that was fun. An excellent four-quarter contest full of tactical intrigue, individual brilliance, bloody-minded resilience, Buddy Franklin genius, and some trademark Toby Greene nonsense. After all that breathless entertainment it’s GWS that prevail, by the barest of margins.
The Swans were percentage from the top four but still bow out in August after failing to kick straight when it mattered. They had the game on their terms for large portions but when it came to the crunch Bell, Hickey, and Florent missed with victory on the line. Heeney starred with four goals, Franklin led the line with three, but he will have to come back next year to kick the final five he needs to bring up 1,000 for his career.
The Giants won the game in a six-goal to two second quarter, and held onto it with some resolute late defending. When they attacked it was precise and patient, time and again piercing Sydney’s defence and then profiting at ground level. Greene was vital, Jesse Hogan was strong overhead, but it will be the engine room and further back where Leon Cameron will lavish the most praise. Taranto was everywhere, Hopper was courageous, while Stein and Taylor marshalled the air admirably.
Injuries to Cumming and Green were unfortunate, but it remains to be seen if either are unable to line up for the semi-final against Geelong.
Full-time: Sydney 10.13 (73) lose to 11.8 (74) GWS
Sydney continue to push, GWS are ragged, but then there’s a whistle - Hickey too high on Perryman. 30 seconds remaining, stoppage on centre wing. All or nothing for Sydney now. But it’s another high tackle! Greene the victim. That will do it. GIANTS WIN!
Q4: 1 min remaining: Sydney 10.13 (73) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Hickey wins another clearing mark! Sydney switch from left to right, but it’s slow. They reach 55m but it’s static. The hopeful delivery is off hands and McInerney can snap a goal - but he makes poor connection and it’s punched behind for a point. ONE POINT GAME! ONE MINUTE LEFT!
Q4: 2 mins remaining: Sydney 10.12 (72) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Hickey marks the clearing kick to keep the pressure on GWS. His kick inside 50 is a scrubby old shank, but it drops perfectly for the onrushing Franklin, who marks around 48m out. Can he kick his fourth and send the Swans into the lead? No...
Q4: 3 mins remaining: Sydney 10.11 (71) v 11.8 (74) GWS - This time Sydney do break the first press and Warner has time and space to hit a target. He can’t, but Parker keeps the ball alive and Sydney have a stoppage in their right forward pocket. The Giants win the clearance but only as fat as Rampe. He returns the ball with interest and it’s off hands for a point.
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Sydney can’t penetrate off halfback and GWS force the midfield turnover. Down to four minutes...
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Sydney looked to be set to overhaul the Giants with all that final quarter momentum, but GWS have rallied, steadied, and are now doing superbly at locking the ball in safe zones.
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Haynes and Whitfield are so so good and they calm the Giants with an intercept mark and some controlled possession. Another minute ticks away...
Q4: 6 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Sydney can’t rebound and the Giants are grateful to lock the ball into the Swans’ half. Repeat stoppages in their forward pocket keep the Swans accountable and milk time off the clock.
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - The Giants finally earn some respite down the right flank, but the move lacks conviction and the Swans force the turnover with a holding the ball free-kick.
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Sydney 10.10 (70) v 11.8 (74) GWS - ANOTHER POSTER! Bell from 30m bang in front to take the lead, and he miscues. What drama!
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Sydney 10.9 (69) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Post! The woodwork has been rattled repeatedly today and Wicks is the latest with the Swans rampant. They are overwhelming GWS and it’s only some desperate backline defence keeping them in this now. The Giants have lost their structure going forward, but they need to find something from somewhere because the Swans are flooding forward repeatedly.
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Sydney 10.8 (68) v 11.8 (74) GWS - There are some tired and sore bodies out there now. Tom Green does not look fit to play with a dodgy shoulder. He’s still out there though with Sydney really upping the ante.
Q4: 12 mins remaining: Sydney 10.8 (68) v 11.8 (74) GWS - The game is so frantic and high intensity now. Sydney rebound off halfback with great verve, winning a series of 50-50 contests, GWS are just clinging on by their fingernails. Still Sydney keep coming, and Hickey is loose inside 50! But he fades his set shot wide.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Sydney 10.7 (67) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Heeney again! Sydney win the turnover, the ball moves forward quickly, the No 5 is one-out and he times his leap superbly to claim a spectacular mark. He drills home his fourth of the day and the margin is in to seven!
Q4: 14 mins remaining: Sydney 9.7 (61) v 11.8 (74) GWS - Sydney reassert themselves in midfield and from the arm-wrestle they can launch an attack. Lloyd can deliver inside 50 but pulls his kick to Hickey instead. He delivers to the top of the square, a pack forms, the ball drops and Heeney is on the spot to crumb and goal! The Swans are inching closer!
Q4: 16 mins remaining: Sydney 8.7 (55) v 11.8 (74) GWS - GWS get to finesse the Sherrin for a minute or so to take the sting out of the game. By the time the ball’s in dispute it’s in Sydney’s half and from the crumbs of a contest Hopper shoots wide from long range.
Q4: 17 mins remaining: Sydney 8.7 (55) v 11.7 (73) GWS - Hayward should score now but he hits the post! Rampe did well to deliver long, Franklin caused havoc at ground level and Hayward slipped loose out the back but couldn’t get the right bias on his bowl to dribble inside the post. Swans pushing hard.
Q4: 18 mins remaining: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 11.7 (73) GWS - Bell has the first scoring opportunity of the quarter but he drags his long range effort horribly wide. Sydney enjoying the early territorial advantage though.
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 11.7 (73) GWS - Cumming has been subbed off for Bruhn after that ankle injury in the last quarter. Also, as the sides were coming off for that final break Greene needlessly made contact with umpire Stevic in an incident that will get plenty of attention in the wash-up.
Normally a big fan of Toby Greene but bumping into the umpire like this is absolutely no good at all. #AFLSwansGiants pic.twitter.com/F6TdFTzquJ
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) August 28, 2021
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A career high six contested marks for Jesse Hogan and we still have one quarter to go...#AFLSwansGIANTS #BigBigSound pic.twitter.com/ZQrilysPN5
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 28, 2021
3QT: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 11.7 (73) GWS
Taranto has time 70m out. He milks the clock then delivers to the hotspot, and who’s there? Jesse Hogan yet again. After so many strong marks and posters, can he finally kick a goal? YES HE CAN! After Sydney clawed their way back into the contest GWS head to the final break with a crucial three-goal lead.
This is a terrific final.
Q3: 1 min remaining: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 10.7 (67) GWS - Sydney have rally improved around the stoppage this quarter, led by Luke Parker. If they keep this up the final quarter is going to be a thriller.
George Hewett.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 28, 2021
Tackling machine.
11 tackles and we haven't hit 3/4 time yet.#Bloods #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/7k3HTCZk9R
Updated
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 10.6 (66) GWS - Sydney have a route through the corridor but McInerney misses his target. GWS can rebound from halfway but McInerney makes up for his mistake with a desperate smother! This is building to a brilliant crescendo.
Isaac Cumming has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/k1zd4QXRBv
— AFL (@AFL) August 28, 2021
Updated
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Sydney 8.6 (54) v 10.6 (66) GWS - Classic Toby Greene. First he wins a high free just outside 50, then he gives the free straight back with a forearm to the throat of McInerney. Sydney hit back at speed and again it ends in the hands of Heeney on the right flank,. This time he can’t deliver the finish.
Updated
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Sydney 8.5 (53) v 10.6 (66) GWS - Brilliant from Parker around the stoppage, two, three involvements. Sydney break down the right and Heeney marks in the pocket. AND HE KICKS A MAGNIFICENT GOAL! From the apex of the 50m arc and the boundary the ball comes off his boot truly and never looked like missing. Sydney are right back in this.
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Q3: 7 mins remaining: Sydney 7.5 (47) v 10.5 (65) GWS - No sooner do I say that than Sydney almost go coast to coast then force a turnover from the Giants’ clearance than Florent hammers wide for a point. The game has become manic and fractured again, just how Sydney want it.
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Q3: 8 mins remaining: Sydney 7.4 (46) v 10.5 (65) GWS - The Giants are under the pump but they don’t worry, they just secure the turnover, caress the ball through traffic and end up locking the ball inside Sydney’s defensive 50. Their approach has stood up well so far.
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Q3: 9 mins remaining: Sydney 7.4 (46) v 10.5 (65) GWS - Still the GWS pressure comes and it results in a third attack of the phase but again the shot for goal doesn’t pay dividends. Sydney need a release and Franklin provides it, moving up the ground and marking the clearing hack. The Swans can reestablish some territory - and they make it count! Franklin is involved again, using his strength to hold off his man then wheel around and kick deep where Heeney is alert to the ground ball to gather and dribble home.
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Q3: 12 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4 (40) v 10.5 (65) GWS - The Giants keep the ball locked in and in no time it’s back in Hogan’s direction, but again a superb contested mark is followed by a poor finish! Will Hogan rue those two efforts?
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Q3: 13 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4 (40) v 10.4 (64) GWS - The Giants absorb all that pressure and then as soon as they get the footy they’re patient, deliberate, and so so good. The ball moves slowly from one end to the other and Hogan marks in traffic in shooting range, but he can’t split the sticks and honour the build-up.
Updated
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4 (40) v 10.3 (63) GWS - Plenty of possession and territory again for the Swans, just like the first half. GWS proving a tough nut to crack from slow ball.
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Q3: 18 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4 (40) v 10.3 (63) GWS - The Swans craft a nice attack from their back half. Lloyd is involved, Heeney is crucial, and it ends with Papley marking inside 50. And he kicks a superb goal from 40m on a decent angle. Of course he runs away celebrating like he’s just won Lotto. Plenty of work still to do for Sydney.
Updated
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4 (34) v 10.3 (63) GWS - The Giants begin the second half superbly. Taranto and Whitfield busy in midfield then the long kick to the leading Sproule. Can he kick the goal from 53m? YES HE CAN! That was a superb finish - his second brilliant set shot of the match. GWS will be tough to catch from here.
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That was a fun half of footy. Both teams committed. Contrasting styles. Big names turning up.
The game appears to have been played on Sydney’s terms, but they haven’t converted that on the scoreboard. GWS have scrapped hard to remain in touch defensively and then attacked superbly to earn a very handy half-time lead.
Half-time: Sydney 5.4 (34) v 9.3 (57) GWS
After the siren, Himmelberg strokes through a set shot to make it a six goal to two quarter for the Giants.
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4 (34) v 8.2 (50) GWS - The story of the half so far then for Sydney. Great endeavour to work the ball forward. Hewett has an age to deliver inside 50, but it’s high and loopy and Franklin cannot prevent Taylor from intercepting in a pack.
Updated
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4 (34) v 8.2 (50) GWS - Finally Buddy gets an inch of separation and the ball is on his chest for the lead. The set shot from 52m is important - and it’s a beauty! Franklin has three, and that was a clutch goal the Swans needed desperately to interrupt five straight from the Giants.
Q2: 4 mins remaining: Sydney 4.4 (28) v 8.2 (50) GWS - Sydney have been camped inside forward 50 for three or four minutes, intercepting every clearing kick, but they can’t find a target for a set shot and the pressure eventually ends with a weak Parker snapped behind.
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Sydney 4.3 (27) v 8.2 (50) GWS - Sydney enjoy a long spell of territorial advantage but GWS’ backline continues to stand up, competing hard overhead, denying Franklin cheap marks, and then they’re tigerish at ground level. The Swans are unable to find separation and execute around 50.
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 8.2 (50) GWS - Papley again doesn’t get enough on a snap with the goal at his mercy - that’s the third of fourth time he hasn’t finished this afternoon.
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 8.2 (50) GWS - From that intercept GWS move the ball patiently and precisely from left to right, then up the boundary, where Hogan is strong overhead to hold onto a strong contested mark. Then he threads the needle from 35m to continue the Giant’s breakout quarter. GWS are employing a game style with a high degree of difficulty, but right now they are executing superbly.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 7.2 (44) GWS - As congestion around the stoppages dissipates GWS look to have the upper-hand in that category, Taranto especially is enjoying a terrific game. They almost profit from that route again with Ward this time in the right place at the right time but the delivery inside 50 is picked off. Sydney are then gifted 50m and a long spell of pressure is released. That is until Taylor gets in front of Franklin and intercept marks for the big G’s.
Q2: 10 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 7.2 (44) GWS - Everything is coming up GWS! A win from the centre bounce is belted forward. The marking contest in the goalsquare brings the ball to ground, and there’s Lloyd to sidefoot a volley through. This is a decisive move from the Giants.
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 6.2 (38) GWS - The Giants’ backline has been committed early on, denying Sydney much love from anything hopeful lumped inside 50. Another good fist sets up a rebound that again goes long down the line and from the resulting stoppage Himmelberg sharks another goal! GWS are monstering the Swans around forward stoppages and now they’re two goals to the good.
Q2: 13 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 5.2 (32) GWS - The Giants resume their delicate kick-mark ballet. It looks to be going nowhere when they have to resort to a hopeful bomb to a contest down the line, but they mop up at ground level and Greene is on hand for the offload to kick his third! Another classy finish, another terrific assist from Tom Green.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 4.2 (26) GWS - The Giants’ tactic is exhausting, requiring so many precise low-percentage kicks to get from end to end. They manage it on this occasion courtesy of some superb interventions from Greene and Taranto, allowing Sproule to take a diving leading mark. He then goes back a roosts a beautiful set shot from 50m that was in from the moment it left his boot. Scores back level.
Q2: 16 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 3.2 (20) GWS - McLean has started the quarter well, presenting strongly on the lead to bring hopeful balls to ground. They are allowing the Swans to establish great field position then lock the ball in, which they do again, almost allowing Papley, then Gulden opportunities but the Giants scramble well in defence.
Q2: 17 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2 (26) v 3.2 (20) GWS - Franklin has two! Sydney’s rapid risk-aplenty ball movement works again. Cunningham is the recipient outside 50 and he goes long to Buddy one-out, the ball comes to ground and the big No 23 is first to it to stab through off the deck.
Q2: 19 mins remaining: Sydney 3.2 (20) v 3.2 (20) GWS - Sydney start the quarter reasserting their territorial advantage, but just like the opening quarter they can’t convert it into clean entries. Papley has a decent look but can’t get enough purchase on his snap.
Five intercepts and 10 disposals from Jake Stein that quarter.
— AFL (@AFL) August 28, 2021
Very handy!#AFLFinals
— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) August 28, 2021
QT: Sydney 3.2 (20) v 3.2 (20) GWS
Even all around the ground, even on the scoreboard, this one is set up to be a beauty.
Sells the dummy and nails the banana!
— AFL (@AFL) August 28, 2021
Buddy brilliant 🌟#FootyOhWhatAFeeling | #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/qzMTTETuq8
Updated
Q1: 1 min remaining: Sydney 3.2 (20) v 3.2 (20) GWS - In case you were wondering, Shane Mumford has been throwing his considerable weight around all quarter.
Q1: 1 min remaining: Sydney 3.1 (19) v 3.2 (20) GWS - Brilliant snap from Taranto and the Giants are back in front. There was nothing much doing as the ball was locked in near the GWS left forward pocket, but then Taranto established some separation, wheeled around and hooked a beautiful goal.
Q1: 2 mins remaining: Sydney 3.1 (19) v 2.2 (14) GWS - While Sydney are run and gun, GWS are trying to me more patient and precise. They have yet to manoeuvre the Swans out of position sufficiently to expose the tactic, and much like Geelong last night they’re inviting risk with turnovers coming out from the back. Unlike the Cats there is much greater intensity to recover.
Q1: 4 mins remaining: Sydney 3.1 (19) v 2.2 (14) GWS - Sydney have dominated territory this quarter but they haven’t had much clean possession in dangerous areas. A turnover just outside 50 sets up a mark inside for Hayward but his finish is poor.
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Sydney 3.0 (18) v 2.2 (14) GWS - The contrast in styles is beginning to emerge. Sydney are full throttle, looking to get the ball forward quickly as fast as possible through the corridor. And it works perfectly on this occasion with the Sherrin eventually ending in Franklin’s hands after wandering off the interchange unopposed. He needed to balk and kick a check-side to score, but he’s Buddy Franklin, so it’s no big deal.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Sydney 2.0 (12) v 2.2 (14) GWS - Dawson, then Papley, both have left-footed snaps from inside 50, with neither threatening off the boot. It is such a hot footy with both teams committing to the contest in numbers.
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Sydney 2.0 (12) v 2.1 (13) GWS - Sydney hit back. There are still bodies committed to the contest like gulls fighting over hot chips, and that means stacks of room for either side if they can clear quickly. A hack forward from the Swans is marked brilliant on the slide by Franklin, he offloads immediately, and the ball is soon in dangerous territory courtesy of Warner. Heeney then does well at ground level before lifting his head and finding Bell free in the goalsquare.
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 2.1 (13) GWS - Stein has started superbly for the Giants, locking down Franklin, earning four marks and six disposals. It’s so congested around the contest there hasn’t been a great deal to write home about on the outside. It’s set up to be a match of taking opportunities when they present themselves, which is just how Toby Greene likes it. From a stoppage just inside Sydney’s 50, Tom Green works the contest superbly, finds his near-namesake, and the poacher snaps superbly for his second.
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 1.1 (7) GWS - Franklin tries to take the game on but he’s shackled by a superb tackle. GWS rebound and a scrappy phase of play ends with Greene free out the back and first to a bobbling ball to stab home the Giants’ first goal.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 0.1 (1) GWS - The Giants should break but Green misses his handball target and turns over. Ward is then caught in possession as the Swans assert themselves. For all their territory Sydney haven’t finessed their entires so far and the GWS backline have found intercepting and spoiling pretty straightforward.
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 0.1 (1) GWS - The Giants are being very patient across their backline - think Geelong a few hours ago - and they invite danger with a fumble, but they recover, and show why they were patient to begin with because as soon as they break the forward press the ball movement by foot is precise until Greene is 50m out, but he overcooks his pass to Hogan and GWS have to settle for a point when a goal was begging.
Q1: 16 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 0.0 (0) GWS - Papley has a chance to make it two in a minute but his set shot from 50m is awful and hooks miles wide. The Swans have shown great direct ball movement in these early exchanges.
Q1: 17 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0 (6) v 0.0 (0) GWS - It is mayhem around the ball at the moment, like a swarm of komodo dragons tearing at a carcass. That is until a hack off the ground from a Swan is marked near halfway superbly by Papley. He’s then gifted 50m for an encroachment into his protected zone, and he goes downfield, slots the opening goal, then celebrates like only he can. However, he then decides to run into Mumford on his way back to the centre bounce - not a smart idea.
Q1: 18 mins remaining: Sydney 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) GWS - Sydney win the opening clearance and establish early territorial dominance. It’s all very scrappy over in the Swans’ right forward pocket until the Giants clear and the long bomb is marked on halfway and the ball gets moved smartly all the way to Coniglio in shooting range in the left forward pocket. He heads instead to the top of the square and GWS lock the ball in.
Opening bounce!
Who will survive another week and take on the Cats? Let’s find out...
The welcome to country and national anthem have been observed. The two skippers are in the middle of York Park to toss the coin. It is still and dry with a heavy sky and a loaded atmosphere. This is going to feel like classic old school Saturday arvo footy.
Shout out to Harry - BTL regular, Bunnies fan, and all round good guy. Sydney do now have a backline...
And the Swans in their traditional red and white.
Let’s gooooooo #Bloods pic.twitter.com/EbQYmJey0H
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 28, 2021
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Out come the Giants in their very fetching charcoal change uniform. High fives to the Puma design team for this one.
“FINALS TIME BABY” 🧡#AFLSwansGIANTS #BigBigSound pic.twitter.com/WtwHOJJiuS
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 28, 2021
Updated
8 GIANTS set to enter the finals stage for the first time 👏🏼#AFLSwansGIANTS #BigBigSound pic.twitter.com/g9ggT6swiz
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 28, 2021
It’s been a significant year for footy in Tasmania. The bandwagon for the state to be awarded its own side grows by the day, helped in no small measure by Hobart and Launceston hosting more AFL games in 2021 than ever before thanks to the state’s ability to minimise outbreaks of Covid-19.
UTAS Stadium (York Park) has been rewarded with at least two finals - this afternoon’s clash, then tomorrow’s elimination final between the Bulldogs and Bombers. The venue’s capacity is close to 20,000 but there will be nearer 10,000 today with Covid restrictions.
True to form, it’s chilly and overcast for the grand occasion, but it is dry for now and the wind is only a gentle northerly.
Elimination Final preparations #Bloods #AFL pic.twitter.com/0ToJKxw4dw
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 28, 2021
In case you missed this last night, Port Adelaide were brilliant, Geelong awful. The wounded Cats await today’s victors.
GWS
Leon Cameron is bolstered by the experience of Sam Reid and Shane Mumford, who have both been managed recently, as well as skipper Steven Coniglio, who was the medical sub in round 23. Tom Green also comes into the 22.
FB J. Stein, S. Taylor, I. Cumming
HB L. Ash, N. Haynes, L. Whitfield
C J. Kelly, S. Coniglio, H. Perryman
HF T. Taranto, H. Himmelberg, T. Greene
FF Z. Sproule, J. Hogan, M. De Boer
FOL S. Mumford, J. Hopper, C. Ward
Int T. Green, C. Idun, D. Lloyd, S. Reid
Sub: T. Bruhn
Sydney
John Longmire will have to cope without Callum Mills (Achilles) and Josh Kennedy (hamstring) with both unable to prove their fitness in time.
Longmire does have Buddy to call on though, and he returns to the scene of his incredible 13 (THIRTEEN!) goal haul against North Melbourne nine years ago. Just eight from the superstar this afternoon would take him past the magical milestone of 1,000 career goals.
FB H. Cunningham, L. Melican, D. Rampe
HB J. Lloyd, T. McCartin, J. McInerney
C J. Dawson, G. Hewett, I. Heeney
HF W. Hayward, H. McLean, E. Gulden
FF T. Papley, L. Franklin, S. Wicks
FOL T. Hickey, L. Parker, J. Rowbottom
Int J. Bell, O. Florent, C. O’Riordan, C. Warner
Sub: R. Fox
Updated
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the second AFL final for season 2021. Sydney v GWS in the second elimination final will be underway at University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston, at 3.20pm AEST.
The winner of this afternoon’s clash will take on Geelong next weekend for the right to play in a preliminary final, and after the Cats’ dismal showing last night whichever NSW outfit prevails will fancy their chances of staying alive deep into September.
Both teams land on the Apple Isle in solid form. The Swans ended the home and away season just percentage outside the top four, winning seven of eight on the run home - including a stunning comeback victory over the Giants in round 18. The return to fitness of Lance Franklin has dominated headlines but the narrative for Sydney has once again been about maximising the available talent in their squad and rocketing back into contention after a lightning rebuild that required only two seasons outside the finals.
Greater Western Sydney have long had the list to compete for a flag, but they have yet to deliver on the promise of their early draft picks. This season has been a rollercoaster with injuries continually hampering their progress, not to mention the occasional headline-making defeat. Late into the season they looked destined to miss the finals on numerous occasions but strung together three victories in a row to seal their spot. That run included a defining win away to Geelong with a significantly undermanned group.
Despite the Giants existing barely five minutes this is already the third Sydney derby in the postseason. GWS came out on top on both previous occasions.
I’ll be back soon with teams and more build-up. If you want to join in yourself, feel free to send me an email or tweet @JPHowcroft.
