Sydney Swans into top four after epic victory

A CONTENTIOUS umpiring decision and moment of magic from Buddy Franklin contributed to an unbelievable night of footy.

Buddy Franklin of the Swans runs the wing from the halfway mark and scores a goal.

STAR Lance Franklin kicked three goals as Sydney pipped ladder-leaders Adelaide by three points to confirm their status as the hottest team in the AFL.

Franklin was a dominant force as the Swans prevailed 13.5 (83) to 11.14 (80) in a Friday night thriller at Adelaide Oval.

Franklin and teammate Josh Kennedy (31 disposals, one goal) inspired Sydney’s 11th win in 12 games — they’re now fourth, though Richmond are favoured to steal that spot back by beating Fremantle on Sunday.

Adelaide remain top and assured of an initial home final but were jumped at the start: Sydney kicked the first four goals — two from Franklin, matched against Adelaide ‘s fifth-gamer Alex Keath.

Sydney Swans players celebrate a goal.

The Crows’ plight became severe when slipping 29 points down early in the second term but they climbed from the canvas to reduce their halftime deficit to only eight points.

And when Crow Mitch McGovern’s third goal was followed by an accurate Tom Lynch snap some four minutes into the third term, Adelaide held the lead.

Sydney linchpin Franklin then replied with a goal of the year contender — he took the ball on a wing some 100 metres from goal, bounced ahead of a flagging Daniel Talia, and threaded from 30m on a tight angle.

This was Buddy amazing! #AFLCrowsSwans pic.twitter.com/kpK5ihbvYq

— AFL (@AFL) August 18, 2017

Social media promptly lit up in praise for the Swans’ star forward.

Buddy is the most consistently freakish player since Gary Ablett snr, let's not forget that. #Budwah #AFLCrowsSwans

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 18, 2017

Freakish goal from Buddy - travelled 70 metres in two bounces (helped by the fumble) then the finish!! #goaloftheyear?

— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) August 18, 2017

Buddy in full flight. Best sight in footy.

— Travis King (@TravisKing) August 18, 2017

Get stuffed Buddy, that's unbelievable. #freak

— Andrew Crowell (@Andrew_Crowell) August 18, 2017

Bruce - speechless for the first time in his career! What a goal Buddy! #AFLCrowsSwans

— Jarrod Walsh (@jarrodwalsh) August 18, 2017

The Swans were just 11 points up at three quarter-time and the Crows then booted three consecutive goals to steal to a nine-point lead.

But late goals to Sydney’s Sam Reid and Tom Papley lifted the visitors to victory.

Star Swan Franklin finished with three goals and Reid two, while Kennedy’s starring midfield role was supported by Luke Parker (30 touches) and Dan Hannebery (28 possessions).

Adelaide’s Sloane finished with 29 disposals and 14 tackles, onballer Matt Crouch collected 34 possessions, Lynch was influential with 24 disposals and a goal while McGovern kicked four goals and Eddie Betts scored two.

Zak Jones was reported for this incident. #AFLCrowsSwans pic.twitter.com/BZFulZJ4g7

— AFL (@AFL) August 18, 2017

The Swans also have a worry with Zak Jones reported for a late bump on Adelaide’s Brad Crouch in the final quarter.

Crows’ fans were left fuming thought after Sydney were handed a contentious 50m penalty in the final minutes. Betts was ruled to have tackled Swans’ midfielder Callum Mills before the umpire has called play-on, despite the Sydney player seeming to do so.

Eddie Betts was penalised and Callum Mills awarded a 50m penalty late in the game. #AFLCrowsSwans pic.twitter.com/AD0mLy2HFK

— AFL (@AFL) August 18, 2017

Fox Footy commentator Jason Dunstall savaged the decision, saying the umpires clearly got it wrong.

“It was a disgraceful decision,” Dunstall said. “Well I shouldn’t say disgraceful – it was a very very poor decision. This one happened at a critical time.”

AFL legend Paul Roos agreed, saying the AFL should apologise for the mistake.

“You just hope they don’t try and justify it,” Roos told Fox Footy. “Too often we see the umpires department come out and say ‘well he tackled him a little bit before’. Mills has clearly played on here, clearly. So it’s a really really poor decision. They need to come out and say they got that wrong - they’re allowed to make mistakes.”

But his Fox Footy colleague Marc Maclure said while Adelaide supporters will put a spotlight on the Betts’ incident, it is not the sole reason they lost the match.

“There was an umpire five metres away, who didn’t call anything,” Maclure said. “That didn’t change the game. They (Sydney) were 50 possessions down on the night and still won. 21 inside fifties down on the night, still won the night. Adelaide have got themselves to blame.”

Sydney have now won 13 of its last 15 matches and are set to write history, becoming the first side ever to play finals after an 0-6 start to the season.

with — AAP

Originally published as Sydney Swans into top four after epic victory