AFL 2024: Swans defeat Power 95-59 to book grand final spot

They’ve been the best team all season, now the Swans are into the AFL grand final thanks to a comfortable win over Port Adelaide.

For the majority of season 2024 the Swans have been the dominant force in the AFL, and now they’re one game away from getting their just desserts.

Sydney made an emphatic statement in a crushing 36-point point preliminary final defeat of Port Adelaide in front of a huge crowd of 44,053.

The Power kicked the opening goal of the contest on the back of a fortuitous whistle, but they were barely in the contest as the minor premiers flexed their muscles in a big way.

Once the Swans took the lead 10 minutes into the contest they were never headed as the usual suspects tore apart the Power with clinical precision.

It was all the home side in Sydney. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Errol Gulden showed why he’ll be among the favourites for the Norm Smith Medal as he dominated in the middle.

While Isaac Heeney didn’t produce the highlight moments of a fortnight ago, he was similarly brilliant with two goals, six clearances and six tackles.

Sydney came out on top 14.11 (95) to 8.11 (59) and will now await the winner of Geelong and Brisbane to see if they can claim their first flag since 2012.

ACCURATE SWANS PUNISH POWER

Sydney held a dominant 25-point lead at the main break, but Port certainly had its chances to build a margin of their own.

They had 17 more clearances, five more inside 50s through the opening half and the same amount of scoring shots, but had nothing to show for it.

The difference? Sydney nailed every set shot in the first half, kicking nine goals with the only behind an ambitious snap from Isaac Heeney near the boundary line.

Their accuracy was incredible, with the sell-out crowd erupting into a sea of red such was their fine form in front of goal.

The Swans dominated the contest. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

TURNOVERS CAUSE POWER OUTAGE

Port Adelaide shot itself in the foot in more ways than one.

The Power kicked the last goal of the half to give them a bit of momentum coming into the third, but that was swiftly swung in the space of 36 seconds.

Defensive pressure from the bounce forced a holding the ball and a booming kick from the perimeter by Chad Warner off a handball receive.

Again Port looked to build momentum with a goal midway through the quarter, but the Swans machine swiftly snuffed out any hopes of back-to-back majors.

Travis Boak missed a target and within three kicks the Swans went from just outside their own 50 to Tom Papley having a shot at the top of the goalsquare.

By that point in the game 67 of Sydney’s 76 points came from turnovers.

LET THE BOYS PLAY

An off the ball whistle inside the opening minute set the tone for what was an overzealous performance from the umpires.

The men in green were fittingly able to raise the bat at the SCG with 50 free kicks awarded throughout the evening.

Players and spectators alike are hoping they can put the whistles away next weekend.

SCOREBOARD

SYDNEY 4.0 9.1 13.7 14.11 (95)

PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 4.6 6.9 8.11 (59)

GOALS

Swans: Joel Amartey 3, Tom Papley 3, Logan McDonald 2, Chad Warner 2, Isaac Heeney 2, Jake Lloyd, Hayden McLean

Power: Connor Rozee 2, Jase Burgoyne, Ryan Burton, Willie Rioli, Mitch Georgiades, Charlie Dixon, Travis Boak

BEST

Swans: Errol Gulden, Joel Amartey, Chad Warner, James Rowbottom, Isaac Heeney

Power: Ryan Burton, Travis Boak, Jase Burgoyne, Jordon Sweet

INJURIES

Swans: Logan McDonald (foot)

Power: N/A

CROWD: 44,053 at SCG

Originally published as AFL 2024: Swans defeat Power 95-59 to book grand final spot