Josh Gibson leads Swans to victory despite injury concern

The Ballarat Swans survive a comeback from Darley to progress to the preliminary final as one former AFL star plays a leading role. More here.

Former Hawthorn premiership star and Ballarat Swans player Josh Gibson has revealed he probably should not have played this week despite guiding his side to a preliminary final.

The Swans survived a comeback from Darley in the second half of their Ballarat Football Netball League semi-final to win by one point at City Oval, 16.9.105 to 16.8.104.

The side almost suffered the same fate as the Western Bulldogs in the AFL in their elimination final against Fremantle, losing from a large lead, but were able to survive in the final few minutes.

Ballarat stormed to a 43 point lead at half time off the back of a six goal to zero domination in the second quarter.

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The largest lead was 44 points at one stage.

Darley came back into the contest in the second half, kicking the opening three goals of the third term before adding six unanswered goals towards the end of the quarter to reduce the margin to three points at three quarter time.

In a final term, which saw four lead changes, Ballarat was down by nine points late in the contest before two of its former AFL players stood out.

Andrew Hooper kicked his first goal of the game to reduce the margin to under a kick before Gibson took a diving mark in the goalsquare with a couple of minutes to play.

His goal, his third of the game, put the side into the preliminary final for the first time since 2014.

But it could have been different for the three-time AFL premiership player who was close to missing.

“I’m not going to lie, I tore it (hamstring) in that game against Sebas and tried to have last week off because we knew at least we had the double chance,” Gibson said.

“Today I had to roll the dice because if we didn’t win we would be going home.

“I got through okay, so having another week is going to be great.”

Gibson said the resolve of his side to stay in the contest when the momentum was against them was what won the team the contest.

“They (Darley) are a quality side and when you are playing finals footy I’ve learnt over the years that it’s very hard to have a game go your way for four quarters,” he said.

“They were super after half time and had nothing to lose.

“To the boys credit we weathered the storm and fought it out in the final quarter and that takes determination, I’m really proud of the group.”

Gibson said he should be okay to play in the preliminary final, which will be against Sebastopol, and admits it is great to be back in the finals race again.

“I haven’t played one since 2016 for the Hawks, it is very exciting,” he said.

Swans coach Joe Carmody said the team tried to weather the storm in the third and final term as Darley went on a run, but there was sometimes nothing he could do.

“I thought the second quarter was some of our best footy but in the third quarter Darley was unstoppable,” he said.

“To be able to respond in the last quarter and reset, that was the really pleasing part of the day.

“To get over the line it is a credit to the boys.”

Carmody admits the team does have injury concerns, not just with Gibson, heading into the battle for a grand final spot.

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“We’ve got a few issues with guys with a few injuries that we are carrying,” he said.

“This time of the year it’s just about trying to get through as best as you can.

“This week will mostly be about recovery again.”

The Swans take on Sebastopol after the Burras lost to Melton by 43 points in the second semi on Saturday.

Melton, the minor premiers, is now in the grand final and will play the winner of this week’s preliminary final clash.