‘Game of the year’ ends in utter disbelief as Port beat Swans

Swans star Ollie Florent has gone from the happiest man on earth to utter devastation in no time flat after one of the all-time crazy finishes.

Ecstasy to agony in no time flat. Photo: Fox Sports

Port Adelaide have pulled off a famous victory, denying the Sydney Swans on the goal line to hang on to a two point win at the SCG.

The 9.12 (66) to 9.10 (64) result went right down to the wire, so much so the Swans’ Ollie Florent celebrated the win despite the Port defence punching the ball away on the line.

But it wasn’t to be as a stunned Florent, when he realised his kick had fallen short, screamed: “What happened?”

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Port, who had only held the lead once for a brief period in the third quarter, hit the lead through a Jed McEntee goal in the final quarter.

Despite losing the lead soon after, with 90 seconds left Jeremy Finlayson kicked his third to put Port’s nose in front.

The mark from Florent gave the home side a golden opportunity to win the match from about 50m but it just didn’t have enough legs.

Aliir Aliir made the save. Photo: Fox Sports

Even the commentators thought it was home, calling for a score review.

But it was unnecessary as it was just short of the line.

The early crow 😬 #AFLSwansPortpic.twitter.com/fb9jGJw7wM

— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) April 8, 2023

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING #AFLSwansPort

— Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) April 8, 2023

My god #AFLSwansPort is going to take some beating for ‘Game of the Year’ status. Unbelievable.
And the storylines… good god.

Thinking of Paddy McCartin though. His situation is just such a reminder of what’s more important than four premiership points. The Finlaysons’ too.

— Russell Bennett (@rgbennett) April 8, 2023

Oh my god - what a win for @PAFC that is just enormous! And how about Jeremy Finlayson!! #AFLSwansPort

— TomRehn9 (@tomrehn9) April 8, 2023

There was complete disbelief on the field with even Port’s game-winning goal kicker Finlayson thought Florent had sealed the win.

“I thought he kicked it! I seriously thought he kicked it,” he said.

It continues an unthinkable streak for Port Adelaide, who have won the last seven clashes between the team, having been the Swans’ bogey team since 2016.

Utter joy, to utter despair. Photo: Fox Sports

It was a tough night for the Swans, who also lost Paddy McCartin to a horror blow when an innocuous moment say the concussion-prone star stumble from the field.

Swans General Manager of Football Charlie Gardiner told media at quarter time that McCartin was “alert and talking”, and “feeling okay”.

“We’re all very concerned about it, but he’s feeling okay and recovering well,” Gardiner said.

“We’ll take every precaution with him.”

McCartin departed the bench before halftime, and news.com.au understands he has not been sent to hospital as yet.

ABC’s Kyle Pollard called it “as distressing as any injury I’ve seen on the footy field.

“Fingers crossed his recovery is quick,” he said.

His brother Tom McCartin was also subbed out due to concussion in the second quarter.

Originally published as ‘Game of the year’ ends in utter disbelief as Port beat Swans