Sydney Swans into Grand Final after surviving Collingwood comeback in one-point thriller

The Sydney Swans are through to the AFL Grand Final are surviving a truly epic Collingwood comeback in a one-point thriller.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Will Hayward of the Swans and Callum Mills of the Swans celebrate winning the AFL Second Preliminary match between the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on September 17, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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. 

That feeling when you're heading to the Grand Final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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.

Absolute heartbreak for Collingwood. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Originally published as Sydney Swans into Grand Final after surviving Collingwood comeback in one-point thriller

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