We look at some of the major points of Sydney’s qualifying final win over Fremantle at ANZ Stadium

BUDDY kills off Freo challenge, a Swan’s rough start, an all-star match-up and why Docker fans are scratching their heads.

Sydney Swans' Lance Franklin celebrates a goal with fans during AFL Qualifying Final between Sydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers at ANZ Stadium. pic. Phil Hillyard

ROHAN’S ROUGH RIDE EARLY

SWAN Gary Rohan had a forgettable start to Saturday’s qualifying final.

The Sydney speedster is encouraged to run and take the game on, but twice that dare bit him on the behind in the first term — leading to Freo’s first two goals.

On the first occasion he ran from inside his own 50, evaded an opponent and upon doing another exceeded his allotted 15m. Tendai Mzungu took advantage of the resulting Fremantle free kick, booting his side’s opener.

Just minutes later, Rohan was streaming through the middle but badly miscued his kick — straight to a Fremantle opponent. Again, the ball was soon down the other end and through the big sticks.

Luckily for Rohan and the Swans, those misdemeanours wouldn’t come back to bite his side.

Gary Rohan breaks the tackle of Fremantle's Michael Walters ... but runs too far. Picture: Toby Zerna

ALL-AUSTRALIAN MATCH-UP?

FREMANTLE star Nat Fyfe wasted little time finding his feet after his two-week suspension.

But he didn’t have it all his own way in an enthralling first-term duel with emerging Swans superstar Luke Parker.

The pair were both in everything early, gathering 10 touches and each kicking big goals to look a class above most on the field.

Parker would finish with 32 touches and Fyfe 29, with both men featuring among their best.

Each is likely to be awarded All-Australian honours this month. And based on Saturday’s outing, deservedly so.

Nat Fyfe marks in front of Luke Parker in the first term. Their early match-up was worth the price of admission Picture: Toby Zerna

SWANS PUT CLAMPS ON FREO DYNAMOS

AFTER wet weather had again lashed ANZ Stadium heading into Saturday, Fremantle supporters might have thought they had a major edge near goal — at least at ground level.

When rain also fell during the match, those Freo hopes would have further heightened. But the expected contribution never came.

Goalsneaks Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters had rarely been held goalless as a duo.

Walters & Ballantyne have played together 38 times & never been held goalless combined. Today would not be a good day to start.. #AFLFinals

— Chris Robinson (@CJKRobinson) September 6, 2014

They did eventually manage to hit the scoreboard through Walters — who was by far the more dangerous of the pair — but that was with just 10 minutes remaining in the match.

While Matthew Pavlich loomed as the major threat, Ballantyne and Walters struggled to impact the scoreboard as the Swans’ small defenders put on the clamps.

Nick Smith and Dane Rampe can take a bow.

Swan Nick Smith was superb on Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne. Picture: Phil Hillyard

BUDDY KILLS OFF FREO MOMENTUM

AFTER trailing by almost four goals at the final change, Fremantle had to start the final term well. And they did, with two quicks goals.

But then Buddy happened.

That's why they pay him the big bucks #thankslance

— James Kelly (@JamesPopsKelly) September 6, 2014

Alex Silvagni had done a terrific job in the pair’s one-on-one clashes, restricting the Coleman medallist to just one major in more than three quarters.

But when the Dockers got back to just 10 points, the $10 million man thought it was time to impose himself.

He received a handball 75 from goal, ran 10m and bounced one home to the delight of the home crowd.

Two minutes later, he virtually killed Freo’s hopes when he again received but this time from closer to goal — and the boundary.

Despite an awkward ball drop, the ball never looked like missing.

The Swans were home, and the King of Sydney waved to his adoring fans.

Lance Franklin whips the ANZ crowd into a frenzy after restoring his side’s four-goal lead in the final term. Picture: Phil Hillyard

$10 million dollars is a bargain

— Campbell brown (@Browndogg_30x) September 6, 2014

Originally published as We look at some of the major points of Sydney’s qualifying final win over Fremantle at ANZ Stadium