‘Insane’: AFL world loses it as Giants beat Swans in finals thriller

Footy fans had their hearts in their mouths as they watched GWS beat the Swans in a thrilling one-point contest in Tasmania.

The Swans had their hearts broken in Tasmania. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images).

GWS beat Sydney by one point in a thrilling elimination final on Saturday afternoon that had fans of both sides biting their fingernails at the death.

Leon Cameron’s men kept their season alive with a nerve-racking 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) win over their cross-town rivals in Tasmania.

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The Giants were up by 29 points early in the third quarter when Zach Sproule kicked a long-range bomb between the big sticks and the Swans, who had been below their best in the opening half, were staring down the barrel of a blowout.

But they fought back admirably to get within 13, before a pivotal Jesse Hogan goal after the siren gave the Giants a 19-point buffer heading into the last quarter.

It was all Sydney in the final term as it looked like the bigger brother in the AFL’s newest rivalry would steamroll an exhausted opposition that was running on fumes. Isaac Heeney was enormous in the fourth quarter, putting the Swans on his back — like Buddy Franklin did in the first half — kicking two crucial majors to finish with four for the match.

But his efforts were in vain as Sydney hit the post multiple times, while Franklin’s missed set shot with two minutes remaining looked to seal the Swans’ fate.

GWS faces Geelong next weekend but could be without Toby Greene — who starred in the first half with three goals — as the captain faces a nervous wait to see if he has any further role to play this season. He remonstrated with umpire Matt Stevic then bumped into the official on his way into the huddle at three-quarter time, prompting speculation he could be suspended.

GWS celebrated but could be without Toby Greene for its next match. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The footy world was in awe of GWS and captivated by the spectacle both sides delivered. AFL legend David King called it an “amazing” win on Fox Footy while ex-AFL star Ryan Fitzgerald couldn’t take his eyes off his TV.

“This is unbelievable, Swans are flying,” he tweeted in the fourth quarter as Sydney stormed home.

Sports reporter Alex Fair said “this is epic”, TV journalist Caty Price called the ending “insane” and Josh Bartlett added: “How the hell did the @GWSGIANTS win that?!”

Cricket star Trent Copeland tweeted: “Incredible game. Unbelievable win.”

Footy broadcaster Sam Lane summed up the mood best with her take on social media. “Thrilling epic-ness,” she wrote.

Former AFL journalist Rohan Connolly tweeted: “Do not know how Giants held on there, credit to them. Sydney by all rights should have won, just blew too many chances in finish.”

Russell Bennett added: “For all those complaining about footy and the state of the game … stick that match up your jumper. Finals footy. Brilliant.”

The Swans were shattered. (Photo by Grant Viney/AFL Photos via Getty Images).

The Swans’ statsheet looked impressive in the opening two quarters but GWS did the damage where it mattered — on the scoreboard. Greene and Franklin were locked in a shootout, both booting three majors. Overall, the Giants were better at taking their chances in front of goal.

The third quarter saw GWS remain just out of reach even as Sydney clawed its way back into the contest. Things really heated up in the final term but in the end it was the Swans who had their hearts broken.

Originally published as ‘Insane’: AFL world loses it as Giants beat Swans in finals thriller