THE Sydney Swans push for the most unlikely of premierships has gathered even more momentum with a 65-point elimination final demolition of Essendon at a packed SCG.
The win sets up a semi-final showdown with Geelong at the MCG next Friday night.
FAREWELL: GODDARD’S TRIBUTE TO JOBE WATSON
An injured Lance Franklin set the tone for the night when he shrugged off an opening quarter corked thigh to boot four goals, all in the second quarter.
Swans hearts sank when Franklin went to the bench for treatment less than 10 minutes into the match in shades of last year’s grand final when he rolled his ankle in the opening minutes.
But Sydney’s medical staff did a great job of keeping his injured thigh warm with a heat pack under his strapped thigh and by riding a stationary bike and quarter time.
It worked brilliantly as he kicked the first three majors of the term to effectively break the game apart.
His work rate was amazing and off the charts for someone carrying an injury. His second term was something worth a second look.
It came on the back of four separate involvements, a contested mark, a tackle, at tap on and then a received handball for the goal, all of which took place over the space of about 70 metres.
Buddy and his fellow forwards were well serviced by a dominant midfield, led by skipper Josh Kennedy, 150-gamer Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery who ruled the centre square and the stoppages.
After Joe Daniher kicked the opening goal of the match, Sydney booted the next 10 unanswered. The goals came from everywhere as the Swans became the highest scoring team of the finals midway through the third quarter when they went past the 100-point mark and Adelaide and Richmond’s four-quarter scores.
As well as dominating the packs, Sydney ruled the air — taking a season-high 28 contested marks, 18 of those taken inside 50.
Callum Sinclair was outstanding taking nine marks, including four contested, and finished off his work with three goals. He got the nod ahead of Kurt Tippett and has made the former Crow’s road back to the firsts a challenging one.
Dean Towers also produced a performance of the highest order with a career high three goals. He has often looked rushed in his play throughout his career but showed real composure in front of the big sticks. His first two goals came from deliberate kicks around the corner from an acute angle and his last a clever grubber kick.
As good as their offence was and it was very good, the Swans’ defence was even better.
The pressure not only created goals, five of the 10 second-quarter goals came from turnovers, but put doubt in the minds of their opponents.
In a five-minute period late in the second quarter three of their very best players in Daniher, Dyson Heppell and Michael Hurley all kicked the ball out on the full when under no apparent pressure.
Callum Mills was the pick of a very good defence with his marking again a feature. Heath Grundy, Nick Smith, Jarrad McVeigh and Harry Cunningham all worked well as the Swans conceded just 56 points for the match.
Daniher finished with three for the match as Dane Rampe worked hard all night.
It was a disappointing end for Jobe Watson and James Kelly who both played their last games and were chaired off and given a guard of honour from both teams.
DETAILS:
SYDNEY 3.2 13.5 17.5 19.7 (121) d ESSENDON 1.3 3.4 5.8 8.8 (56)
Goals: Sydney: L Franklin 4 C Sinclair 3 D Towers 3 G Rohan 2 I Heeney 2 J Kennedy 2 J Lloyd K Jack T Papley.
Essendon: J Daniher 3 J Begley 2 D Heppell D Myers O Fantasia.
Umpires: Simon Meredith, Ray Chamberlain, Brendan Hosking.
Official Crowd: 46,323 at SCG.
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