AFL Finals: Sydney their own worst enemy in close loss to Carlton in elimination final

The Swans’ crushing defeat to the Blues was gallant, but accurately reflected a season in which Sydney was its own worst enemy at times, as they suffered heartbreak on the MCG again.

Errol Gulden and Logan McDonald leave the field after the Swans narrow loss during the AFL Elimination Final between Carlton and the Sydney Swans at the MCG on September 8, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

The Swans have been their own worst enemy at times in 2023 and nothing summed that up more than their heartbreaking elimination final loss to Carlton on Friday night.

This one will sting for Sydney. And it’s not because they were outplayed; for the majority of the game, they were arguably the better team and made the Blues earn their historic win.

Six scoring shots to five would have given the Swans hope in the first quarter. But a glance at the scoreboard recalled other games this year where inaccuracy cost them: one goal, five behinds.

Carlton’s lead then ballooned out to 29 points by the main break. Sydney had some great passages of play transitioning out of defence, but then couldn’t find the lethal inside 50 entry to make them pay.

Down the other end, it felt like every time the ball went forward for Carlton it went to ground and they created strong scoring opportunities.

Sydney had a 22 per cent shot at goal accuracy at half, the second-worst half by a team in the AFL this season.

A different Swans side emerged from the rooms for the second half and it brought them right back into the game.

A second-half surge from the Swans was not enough. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Errol Gulden kickstarted the surge with a brilliant goal from the pocket. Logan McDonald chimed in with two goals of his own before Tom Papley’s energy around the contest created another two.

Early in the final quarter, the Swans had closed the margin to eight points after Parker kicked his second of the match.

The chances were there to capitalise on the pressure Carlton was feeling. This was their first final in a decade and the nervous energy of the pulsating MCG crowd was starting to be felt by the Blues players.

McDonald had a brilliant moment to start a Swans attack but kicked to a contest instead of finding an open Will Hayward.

Papley had a mark inside 50 but opted to try and find a target closer to goal rather than go back and kick it.

It was a matter of so close but yet so far for the Swans, a familiar feeling this season. Six points was all that separated them by the final siren.

But there was so much to like for Sydney, and it was from young players who will be the core of this team for years to come.

Sydney were wasteful going forward. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Tom McCartin was epic in defence. He dealt with any aerial threat and played with the heart of a lion. The 23-year-old has had a brilliant two months of footy since returning from concussion and has emerged as not just a leader for the future, but now.

The recently re-signed Hayden McLean produced his best performance in a Swans jumper with a Herculian marking performance. His goal in the last minute of the match gave them one last chance to turn things around.

And as usual, Nick Blakey ran until his legs had nothing else left to give.

Sydney will feel like it should be them preparing for a semi final against Melbourne next week. But like much of the season, it’s the fine margins in the game that have cost them.

While the Carlton fans will be celebrating a historic win, there are enough positives for the Swans to take out of this match to know it won’t be long before they’re back on footy’s biggest stage again.

Originally published as AFL Finals: Sydney their own worst enemy in close loss to Carlton in elimination final