Sydney’s finals hopes all but over after upset loss to Carlton
John Longmire announced he will be staying at Sydney but a return to finals will have to wait until next season at least for the Swans after a costly loss to Carlton.
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While John Longmire proved Godfather offers can be refused, a late dose of the Blues means “no” is almost certainly the answer when it comes to the question of the Swans making the 2019 finals.
The red and whites suffered a narrow but hugely damaging home defeat to leave their hopes of making the eight in tatters, with the coach’s contract extension party falling flat.
The home side failed to get their noses in front all afternoon and lost out by seven points 9.15.69 to 8.14.62.
The Swans were always confident of keeping their man and while you can lead a Horse to “oughta”, he’ll need time to think.
After careful deliberation, Longmire decided he and the club shared the same vision and so North Melbourne will need to look elsewhere for a new boss.
Jake Lloyd finished with 34 disposals for the Swans but Nic Newman (32), Marc Murphy and Patrick Cripps shone for the visitors.
NO EXTENSION ACCORD
The “new” or, at least, the extended Longmire era began in disappointing fashion.
“They are a highly committed group that’s capable of achieving great things together,” Longmire said after extending his stay.
But just how soon for those “great things”?
Well, it’s not looking like 2019.
The wind certainly made it tough but the Swans couldn’t find their range with none of the home side managing more than one major.
The Swans made just one change with veteran Kieren Jack restored to the side but it was the visitors who got off to the brighter start as Levi Casboult kicked the first goal of the contest in the third minute.
The wasteful Swans saw Sam Reid, Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey all fail to take early opportunities before the impressive Luke Parker finally delivered the Swans first major on 17 minutes.
Jordan Dawson clattered into Paddy Dow, much to the visitors’ anger, before the Swans man crashed the ball through on 23 minutes as the two teams ended the first quarter arm wrestle 17 points apiece.
BLUES AT THE BREAK
The visitors seized the advantage in the second period, bagging three goals without reply before Jack lashed home to reduce the deficit to 10 points.
The gap remained 10 at the halfway point with the Swans struggling to find their radar in front of goal, not helped by the blustery conditions.
Patrick Cripps led the way for the visitors in the opening half with 18 disposals and three tackles, Ed Curnow (17) was just behind him with Parker (16 disposals) and Lloyd (15) leading the way for the Swans.
ONE TO SAVOUR
Longmire’s men needed to rouse themselves for the second half and just 30 seconds in James Rowbottom provided the spark with his first senior goal.
Hugh Goddard failed a concussion test and did not return for the second period.
Will Hayward spurned another glorious chance as the home side continued to struggle in the pursuit of points but Tom Papley celebrated his birthday with a timely major as the 16th minute approached, accompanied by a roar of delight. One point in it as the end of the third approached.
Triple M commentary remarked the forward line was missing a bloke “with the number 23” to demand the ball as it remained anyone’s game with a quarter to play.
A quick finish from Marc Murphy under pressure edged Carlton back out to a seven-point advantage as the siren sounded.
HUGE FINAL QUARTER NEEDED
Sadly for the Swans, Casboult struck first and when Jack Silvagni booted another moments later, the lead was out to 19 points. Isaac Heeney pulled it back to 13 points and still hope. Reid nailed a vital one to reduce the gap further to just seven as the home side refused to lie down with Lloyd also on target.
TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
The result was crucial as the Swans face an extremely tough-looking program in the coming weeks with Fremantle (away), Geelong (home), the Giants (away) and Port Adelaide (away).
SCOREBOARD
SYDNEY 2.5 3.10 5.12 8.14 (62)
CARLTON 2.5 5.8 6.13 9.15 (69)
GOALS
Sydney: Parker, Dawson, Jack, Rowbottom, Papley, Heeney, Reid, Lloyd
Carlton: Casboult 2, Walsh, Fisher, Gibbons, Lang, Murphy, Silvagni, McKay
BEST
Sydney: Parker, Dawson, Jack, Rowbottom, Papley, Heeney, Reid, Lloyd
Carlton: Cripps, Newman, Murphy, Curnow, Kreuzer, Walsh
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Carlton: Dow (head knock), Goddard (jaw)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Hosking, Howorth
Official crowd: 32,570 at the SCG
Originally published as Sydney’s finals hopes all but over after upset loss to Carlton
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