Hawthorn continues amazing run at SCG to snatch double chance in thrilling win over Sydney
HAWTHORN has broken Sydney hearts yet again, continuing an amazing run in Sydney where it has won its last five against the Swans, including the last four at the SCG.
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HAWTHORN has broken Sydney hearts yet again.
Its 11-point win earns it a qualifying final berth and continues an amazing run in Sydney where it has won its last five against the Swans, including the last four at the SCG.
Sydney was on the back foot from the start when it lost its two biggest stars Lance Franklin and Luke Parker before the first bounce to groin injuries but came oh so close to producing one of their greatest wins.
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It trailed at the first change by a point but kicked the first four of the second to grab a 19-point lead at half-time.
It was hanging on by a goal at three-quarter time and when Tom McCartin kicked the opener to the last term the most unlikely of victories looked possible.
Missed chances from Kieren Jack, Tom Papley and Ollie Florent were costly as Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo (three goals), Harry Morrison and Luke Breust all kicked truly.
With Franklin and Parker out the Swans were always going to struggle to kick a winning score but came so close to doing it.
They fielded a team with 11 former rookie-listed players and their youngest forward line in years.
Isaac Heeney (78 games) and Tom Papley (59) were brave with two goals each but the remainder of their front half was full of inexperience. Ben Ronke (16), Tom McCartin (eight) and Jordan Dawson (five) fought their hearts out but lacked the firepower Franklin and Parker possess in bucket loads.
The Swans were able to stay in the contest by containing Hawks stars Tom Mitchell and Isaac Smith.
George Hewett claimed Mitchell’s scalp again restricting him to 24 possessions and picking up the same amount himself. Harry Cunningham did a similar job on Smith outpointing him 18 disposals to 16 and kicking an important goal.
Nic Newman also did a similar task on Jaeger O’Meara who finished with 18 touches for the night.
The loss means Sydney will host an elimination final at the SCG against either Geelong or GWS depending on the outcome of the Giants clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
The victory sees Hawthorn bounce back into the finals after missing for the first time in seven years last year.
“Missing the finals last year burnt,” Hawthorn’s Shaun Burgoyne said.
“We knew this game would come down to the wire. Clarko said we just needed to stay calm and find our composure.”
SYDNEY 2.3 6.7 8.8 10.14 (74)
HAWTHORN 2.4 3.6 7.8 12.11 (83)
LANDSBERGER’S BEST
Hawks: Shiels, McEvoy, Burgoyne, Mitchell, Worpel, Morrison, Impey, Breust, Roughead. Swans: Kennedy, Lloyd, Grundy, Hewett, Heeney, Rampe, Papley.
GOALS
Swans: Heeney 2, Papley 2, McCartin, Jack, Kennedy, Florent, Cunningham, Sinclair.
Hawks: Puopolo 3, Gunston 2, Henderson 2, Schoenmakers, Worpel, Breust, Roughead, Morrison.
INJURIES
Swans: Hannebery (knee).
UMPIRES
Chamberlain, Meredith, Harris.
CROWD
39,660 at the SCG.
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Originally published as Hawthorn continues amazing run at SCG to snatch double chance in thrilling win over Sydney
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