Sydney blow away shellshocked Brisbane to revive ‘torpedoed’ AFL season
Swans defeat Lions 21.15 (141) to 13.10 (88) in qualifying final at SCG Reigning premiers to host Crows or Bulldogs in semi-final Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Sydney’s season had been “torpedoed” even before they were locked in to meet two-time reigning premier Brisbane in a qualifying final, at least according to the club’s chair Andrew Pridham a couple of weeks ago. But a season that few thought was heading toward anything but the most inglorious of endings – with five players suspended by the club for a breach of club standards – has suddenly taken flight again, after the Swans blew away the Lions for a stunning 53-point triumph at the SCG. Even without the suspended Isaac Heeney running the show in the midfield, Chad Warner lighting up the front half and Nick Blakey breaking the lines from defence, the Swans who lined up against the Lions on Saturday afternoon looked as eye-catching and familiar as any to run out in red and white this year. The rapid and relentless ball movement that has been critical to the Swans’ resurgence this year was there for all to see. So was the newfound strength at stoppage with Errol Gulden rising to the occasion, James Rowbottom putting his head over the ball, and unheralded recruit Jai Serong playing the most influential game of his career as he clamped down on the Lions’ dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale. Continue reading...
Join the argument
House rules →Comments load as you scroll.