Sydney Swans in trouble ‘all of a sudden’ as AFL thriller throws ‘premiership race wide open’

The Sydney Swans have some concerns after an AFL thriller proved there’s another scary premiership contender in the mix.

The Swans lost narrowly to the Lions.

The Brisbane Lions have defeated the Sydney Swans by two points in a Sunday afternoon thriller, proving they are once again premiership contenders.

Joe Daniher kicked three goals in the opening quarter for Brisbane as the Swans started slowly yet again, before fighting their way back into the game.

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The last quarter was an old fashioned arm wrestle, and Callum Ah Chee’s snap for goal was ultimately the difference as Brisbane claimed a 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) victory.

Brownlow Medal fancy Lachie Neale and Sydney star Isaac Heeney had quiet games, but Brisbane’s second tier of midfielders were impressive — led by Hugh McCluggage and Cam Rayner.

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko had a game-high 29 disposals as his side claimed their seventh victory in a row.

Callum Ah Chee kicked the matchwinner. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The Swans can’t seem to win a close game. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The Lions have lost only one of their last 11 games in a streak that now has them second on the ladder — they will finish Round 19 third if Carlton beat North Melbourne.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for last year’s grand finalists, who looked dead and buried after dropping the first three games of the season in a lacklustre start to the year.

While reigning premiers Collingwood have stuttered out of top eight contention, the Lions now look in prime position to secure a top four finish.

The Swans have lost their four games in 2024 by a combined 10 points.

Their smallest winning margin this year is 14 points.

A lot went against them today, but they need to start winning the close ones. They had plenty of opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd qtrs.#AFLLionsSwans

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) July 21, 2024

All of a sudden injuries starting to mount for Sydney.
Dane Rampe (calf) + Tom Papley (ankle) out.
Justin McInerney’s knee in a brace for a fortnight after PCL.
And one that’s snuck under the radar - James Rowbottom to miss a couple of games with a facial fracture #AFLLionsSwans

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) July 21, 2024

Footy journalist Rohan Connolly wrote on X: “Great game! Big win for Brisbane, too, but really brave stuff from injury-hit Swans. Both teams will get plenty out of that.”

AFL writer Ronny Lerner said: “One of the games of the season. The Swans were brave but the Lions were too good. This premiership race is completely wide open!”

It was a dirty day for the Swans, who lost Dane Rampe (calf) and Tom Papley (ankle) to injury — they could miss several weeks.

Will Hayward played injured. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Tom Papley limped off with an ankle injury. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Will Hayward played out the game with an ankle injury.

After a blessed run of health so far this season, the injuries are starting to stack up for the Swans.

Justin McInerney is out with a PCL knee injury, while tackling machine James Rowbottom missed the Lions clash with a facial fracture.

The Swans are still 2.5 games clear on top of the ladder, and their four losses to Richmond, Fremantle, St Kilda and Brisbane have been by a combined 10 points.

Sydney and Carlton have been the two premiership favourites for most of the season. But losing games to Richmond and St Kilda showed the Swans aren’t invincible.

Only six points, or 1.5 wins, separates second and 10th on the ladder — such is the closeness of the AFL this year.

So while the Swans still have breathing room and a top four spot all but secured, there’s plenty of work to do for a team that has lost their past three grand finals.