As it happened AFL Finals 2022: Sydney Swans take grand final place with one-point win over Collingwood

Thanks so much for joining us for this amazing preliminary final as Sydney held on for a one-point win over Collingwood at the MCG.

The Swans will take on Geelong in next week’s AFL grand final at 2.30pm and we will be live-blogging the big game just as we have for the AFL season so please join us then.

We will also have the great Scott Spits leading our Brownlow Medal blog tomorrow night so please check in with us then as we follow the votes and see who will win the AFL’s best and fairest award.

Thanks for all the comments and interactions throughout the blog and thanks to Scott Spits, Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan for their contributions.

Bye for now.

It was as tense and tough as everyone expected, a football match produced and directed by Collingwood coach Craig McRae, the man who earned his nickname ‘Fly’ from movie character Marty McFly, and found a way to produce thriller after thriller in 2022.

This was the most thrilling of all, a heartbreaker that left Collingwood fans holding their heads in shock before melting in tears and disbelief. It was a feeling Magpie fans know too well, young, or old, a Daicos or a Moore, the crushing weight of reality that befalls them all too regularly.

Craig McRae.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images

On this night the Magpies played with dare and desperation in front of 45,000 foes and friends until the final credits rolled when the Swan who loves the spotlight most, Tom Papley, put an unlikely premiership just beyond Collingwood when he marked and kicked a goal 16 minutes into the final quarter of the preliminary.

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Sydney defender Paddy McCartin still can’t believe he will be playing in a grand final next Saturday after being out of the AFL this time last year.

Paddy McCartin and his brother Tom McCartin will both have the chance to chase a premiership with the Swans against Geelong next Saturday.

Paddy McCartin.Credit: AFL Photos

Paddy’s career was almost ended by a series of concussions early in his career that saw him forced out of the game until the Swans gave him a second chance at the start of pre-season.

“I can’t believe it,” An emotional McCartin told Fox Footy post game.

“From where I was, to where I am now - it’s crazy mate. I can’t believe it.

“To start the year on the rookie list, if you had of told me I would be playing in a grand final I wouldn’t have believed you.

“Hopefully we can really enjoy it.

“It’s been a real rollercoaster. Two years ago I was nowhere really and struggling a lot. If you of told me, even this time last year, I wouldn’t have believed you.

“This is a very special footy club to give me this opportunity and an opportunity to play with my brother, I feel very lucky.

“I love him to bits so to share this week with him will be amazing.”

Much was made of their body language after the loss to Geelong but Collingwood’s players were doing all they could to leave the field with their heads up, even if they had tears in the eyes.

Isaac Heeney to Channel Seven post game.

“I’m a bit stressed still. My heart is still going. That was unbelievable. They have been that side who keeps coming back, they have done that all year. We almost blew it but we held on.”

“I chose the right sport, that is for sure. I love it. The Swans fans, it is an amazing club and culture. Bring on next week, I can’t wait.”

Isaac Heeney.Credit: AFL Photos

Sydney superstar Lance Franklin spoke to Channel Seven post game.

What do you think of that finish?

Wow. What a finish! We knew they were going to come and they did. We were lucky to hang on but you just have to win and you are into a grand final. It’s been an unbelievable season.

What is the most pleasing aspect of this win?

That we are into a grand final. That’s what we play footy for. We have to play Geelong next week who are an unbelievable team. We will have to be at our best to win next week.

Lance Franklin.Credit: AFL Photos

The Swans have hung on by the skin of their teeth to seal a place in the grand final against Geelong.

Collingwood did everything they could to win but fell agonisingly short.