The Sydney Swans are through to the AFL Grand Final are surviving a truly epic Collingwood comeback in a one-point thriller.
That was as thrilling as it gets.
The Sydney Swans are through to the AFL Grand Final after surviving a heartstopping Collingwood comeback to win their preliminary final 14.11 (95) to 14.10 (94) at the SCG on Saturday.
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The Swans got off to a flyer and led by as many 36 points in the first half and it seemed as if they might cruise to victory.
But nothing is easy against Collingwood, who slowly chipped away at the deficit to trail by 23 points at three quarter time.
The Pies had a sniff and their chaos football wreaked havoc in a frenetic final quarter as they kicked four goals to Sydney's one.
The Swans tried to shut up shop but their conservative style played right into Collingwood's hands as Trent Bianco, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek and Steele Sidebottom kicked majors in the last term.
It looked as if the Pies might pull off an insane comeback but Sydney's Callum Mills produced a crunching spoil to repel an attacking surge.
Collingwood had one last chance as the ball trickled towards the goal but the Swans' defence managed to rush it through for a behind.
The AFL world couldn't believe what it had just witnessed.
Commentator Gerard Whateley exclaimed on AFL Nation: "Sydney stares down the grim reaper and lives to tell the tale!"
Footy journalist Rohan Connolly tweeted: "Oh. My. Lord. That was as nail-biting a finish as I can remember. Well done Swans.
"But boy Collingwood have been incredible this year. Unbelievable stuff. What a season of football!"
OMFG 😳 Unbelievable effort by the Swans but you just have to applaud the year of the Pies. Never surrendered. What a game #AFLSwansPies
— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) September 17, 2022
that was friggen hectic.
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) September 17, 2022
Incredible game (and seasons) from both teams. Well done Sydney. #AFLSwansPies
— James Massola (@jamesmassola) September 17, 2022
It was the first preliminary final held at the SCG since 1996 and in a poetic coincidence, that match was also decided by just a single point.
26 years apart, two one-point prelim final wins for the Swans. Epic game, epic finish. #AFLFinals #AFLSwansPies
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) September 17, 2022
Collingwood's win-loss record was 9-1 in games decided by seven points or less during the regular season.
But remarkably, they were 0-2 in games decided by seven points or less during the finals.
Sydney will make the trip to the MCG next Saturday to take on Geelong in the Grand Final.
The Swans will be looking to atone for defeats in their most recent Grand Final appearances in 2014 and 2016, which they lost to Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, respectively.
They are on a nine-game winning streak, while Geelong is also in red-hot form having won their past 15 matches.
Collingwood trails by just nine points after Trent Bianco, Brody Mihocek and Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked crucial final quarter goals.
Tom Papley kicked a goal for Sydney but the Swans are playing right into Collingwood's with their conservative play.
Then Steele Sidebottom kicked a goal to close within just three points. A huge upset is within reach.
The Swans lead by 23 points heading into the last quarter with the score 13.10 (88) to 10.5 (65).
The Magpies fought back in the third term through goals to Nick and Josh Daicos, as well as an absolute bomb by Jack Ginnivan from 50m out.
Justin McInerney snared a wonderful intercept goal but Isaac Heeney's miss after the siren means the Pies are still in touching distance.
Pies still in this. Swans are tightening up. You can see it in their eyes, in the way they’re not taking what’s on offer – and in Heeney’s miss. #AFLSwansPies #AFLFinals
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) September 17, 2022
Sydney ruck-forward Sam Reid has been subbed out of the game with an adductor injury.
He has been replaced by medical substitute Braeden Campbell.
Reid is important to the Swans structure and his injury could give Collingwood an opening to make a comeback.
Collingwood big man Mason Cox has also been subbed out of the game.
The Swans maintained the rage in the second quarter and took a 30-point lead into the main break – the score is 11.7 (73) to 7.1 (43).
Collingwood has been extremely efficient when they get a shot on goal, but two goals to Buddy Franklin and a handful of others to James Rowbottom, Isaac Heeney and Isaac Heeney kept the Swans well in front.
The Magpies have made a habit of reeling in huge deficits but it would take a mammoth effort to win from here.
Buddy Franklin was held goalless in Sydney's first final against Melbourne and he had a tough start to the game against Collingwood.
The Swans spearhead was physically targeted by Magpies defender Brayden Maynard, who at one stage pushed Franklin up against the fence with his forearm on his throat.
I'm really enjoying the Maynard vs Franklin fight so far but why is there a footy game happening at the same time?#AFLFinals
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) September 17, 2022
Franklin missed a sitter just before quarter time but redeemed himself with two goals in the second quarter.
Maynard was doing absolutely everything to try and get under his skin.
Luke Hodge said on Channel 7: "Straight afterwards (the goal) Maynard was trying to have a joke, trying to wipe the oil off Buddy shoulders, just letting him know, trying to get some grip and feel on him."
An unusual moment as Brayden Maynard attempts to wipe the oil off Buddy Franklin's arms 👀#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/S7OH0aA6Dk
— AFL (@AFL) September 17, 2022
Luke Darcy said: "I've seen some strange things but I don't think I've ever seen a defender try to rub the oil off a forward's arms."
Hodge added: "If you talk to the Collingwood boys, Maynard's probably the one that's going to do the weirdest things on the footy field."
Sydney have a 21-point lead at quarter time with the score 6.3 (39) to 3.0 (18).
At one stage the Swans led 26-0 but Collingwood stayed in touch thanks to goals to Will Hoskin-Elliot, Jack Crisp and Jamie Elliot.
Buddy Franklin is having a tough day at the office and missed an easy shot from directly in front after the siren.
Sydney have got off to an absolute flyer, kicking the first three goals as the Swans continue their habit of making fast starts.
Luke Parker kicked the opener, before Dylan Stephens and Ryan Clarke kicked two crumbing goals. The Magpies are yet to score.
Buddy Franklin is being targeted by Collingwood's defence and appears a bit ginger in the early stages.
Aussie singer Hugh Sheridan sang the national anthem before the game and he sure didn't miss the chance to make a statement with his outfit.
Sheridan was sporting a snazzy silk green suit that certainly caught the eye of viewers.
Hugh Sheridan supporting the umpires this arvo! 💚 pic.twitter.com/sFgzkoD4Hx
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) September 17, 2022
How’s the suit on Hugh Sheridan. Razzle dazzle #AFLSwansPies
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) September 17, 2022
More Hugh Sheridan please in his Daryl Braithwaite/Sherbet green silk suit!#AFLSwansPies
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) September 17, 2022
That’s a bold statement Hugh
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) September 17, 2022
It may be an away game for them but Collingwood fans are out in force this afternoon and there's plenty of black and white in what's expected to be a sold out SCG crowd.
Retiring Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair was trying to say goodbye to the Swans faithful but he was drowned out by a boisterous chant of "Collingwood" ringing out around the ground.
"Callum Sinclair is trying to say goodbye (in a pre-game ceremony) and that was a cue for Collingwood fans to start drowning him out!"
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) September 17, 2022
– Gerard Whateley as the atmosphere at the SCG starts to build
Incredible atmosphere here at the @scg. Plenty Pies fans making their presence felt. Joint is packed and rocking. #AFLSwansPies
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) September 17, 2022
Fox Footy's David King said: "They've been on the cans for half the day. We saw them out the back having a couple. They're going to be loud and proud and good on them. 20 per cent of the crowd for Collingwood will be enough to match the Swans."
There's a fantastic atmosphere building just minutes away from first bounce.
Collingwood Magpies president Jeff Browne was on a flight that was turned around mid air after fumes were detected on his Qantas flight.
The plane, which was carrying Browne and AFL commissioner Robin Bishop on its passenger list, was on the way to Sydney but was turned back to Melbourne an d sat on the tarmac as firefighters investigated.
The passengers were pulled off the flight and was rescheduled for early afternoon, The Herald Sun reported, which was not ideal for the 4.45pm AEST bounce.
A Qantas spokesperson said in a statement “a flight from Melbourne to Sydney performed an air return shortly after take-off due to reports of an unusual smell in the cabin”.
“The flight landed back in Melbourne safely and without incident.
“Engineers are currently inspecting the aircraft.
“We will always put safety first. However, we know that delays like these are frustrating to customers and we’re working to reaccommodate passengers on other flights today.”
It comes after tickets for the less than 90 minute flight were going for a reported $1500 to fly in on the morning and back to Melbourne on Sunday earlier in the week.
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