SYDNEY: 3.3, 11.7, 14.9, 18.11 (119) def. BRISBANE: 4.3, 6.6, 9.9, 9.13 (67)
GOALS: SYDNEY: Bolton 4, Goodes 4, Spangher 3, Rohan 3, Parker 2, Malceski, Hannebery BRISBANE: McGrath 3, Karnezis 2, Redden, Hawksley, Cornelius, Rich
BEST: SYDNEY: Goodes, Richards, Kennedy, Rohan, Shaw, Hannebery, O'Keefe BRISBANE: McGrath, Drummond, Rich, Leuenberger,
UMPIRES: Margetts, Chamberlain, Meredith
CROWD: 27,721 at SCG
The Swans seem to enjoy twilight football. This afternoon and this evening at the SCG, they looked in ominous form heading into an elimination final match-up with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne - thanks very much for nothing, Carlton Blues - with a crushing fifty-two point win in what turned out to be Tadhg Kennelley's final game in Sydney. It was a good send-off for the popular Irishman.
After a few nervous and jittery moments early, the Swans machine clicked into gear, a run of seven goals in the second quarter giving the red-and-whites a match-winning lead. Though the Lions threatened at times, the Swans were never really headed after that, and there always seemed to be an answer from the home team, especially whenever the likes of Adam Goodes, Matt Spangher and Gary Rohan were near the ball. Like last week, there weren't any freeloaders. Every player on the field had an impact, including another inspirational and busy effort from returning Captain Fantastic Jarrad McVeigh, leading to the blow-out win that a crowd of more than 27,000 thoroughly enjoyed.
As per usual, Goodes had the Sherrin on a string, seemingly everywhere across the field, always with a deft touch and a useful possession. Jude Bolton enjoyed a goal-filled game, booting four. Spangher, the West Coast recruit threw a spangher in the works, enjoying easily his best game as a Swan, booting 3, the same number of goals that Rohan, the red-headed blur, notched up, including a beauty from a tight angle as he fell down across the boundary line; surely a contender for Mark of the Year. Rohan is already good. The scary thing is that he's only going to get better with age and experience. We might've seen the emergence of the next Swans superstar.
The night's only sour moment was the injury to Ryan O'Keefe, who left the ground late with a shoulder injury after a heavy contact with former Swan Amon Buchanan. The midfield looked very good, and Rhyce Shaw continued to provide wonderful run from the back end, setting up many offensive forays. Once more, Ted Richards proved to be a rock along the last line of defense. This has been something of a break-out season for the key defender, who is now the "go to" guy for the Swans, following Craig Bolton's retirement. Teddy's lived up to the top billing, has claimed some big scalps this year, and may get another chance to cross swords with St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt next week.
So the Swans head south to face St Kilda in what is usually a tough and tight contest against a former assistant coach (Ross Lyon) and two former premiership favourites (Adam Schneider and Sean Dempster). If the last meeting between these two teams, two weeks ago at ANZ Stadium, is anything to go by, we're in for a ripping contest.
After an up-and-down season with some brilliant wins and some frustrating losses - especially losses that should never have happened - it's nice to think about playing finals football again. I only hope that Ryan O'Keefe will be a part of Saturday night's team to face the Saints.
Go Swans!!
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