NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 23 Review

Sydney Swans 9.11 (65) def. by Richmond 10.8 (68)
 
The Swans were overcome by a finals-hungry Richmond at ANZ Stadium, going down by three points in a thriller, but they did manage to secure the minor premiership.
 
The Tigers needed a ninth consecutive win to book their place in September and after a tense finish, they achieved that goal.
 
Sydney, meanwhile, got close enough to ensure they wouldn’t slip below Hawthorn on the ladder, securing their first minor premiership since 1996.
 
The Tigers had held the lead for the entire match – which included a 33-point first term buffer – before an Adam Goodes goal pinched the lead late in the third term.
 
It set the stage for a fourth quarter where the two sides would combine to kick two behinds for every goal – many of which threatened to be the sealer.
 
A Sam Reid goal with just under five minutes left cut the deficit to just two points, however that would prove to be the last major of the match.
 
Richmond held on, repelling each of the Swans’ inside 50s to book their finals place.
 
Dan Hannebery recorded 33 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal for the Swans, while Tom Mitchell had 29 touches and 13 tackles.
 
Brett Deledio may win the three Brownlow votes, however, after 29 disposals and three goals. Trent Cotchin finished with 11 clearances on top of his 29 touches.
 
The Swans will now return to ANZ to host Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.
 
Western Bulldogs 15.19 (107) def. by GWS GIANTS 18.7 (115)
 
The GIANTS have ended their season with a dramatic six-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
 
The match was truly on the line in the final minutes before a final-minute goal to the GIANTS secured the four points.
 
The GIANTS looked comfortable 15 points up with 19 minutes played in the fourth term, but the Bulldogs rallied.
 
Scores were level in the match’s final minutes, with the Dogs having the run of scoring and looking the team most likely to snatch victory.
 
That was a near-certainty when, with 30 seconds left, the ball was kicked towards Jake Stringer inside 50 for what should’ve been a routine mark. He dropped it, however, and the GIANTS quickly went on the rebound.
 
They eventually found Devon Smith, who was able to run away for a goal with 16 seconds left to secure the win.
 
Will Hoskin-Elliot kicked five goals, while the 198cm James Stewart opened his career tally by kicking three.
 
Toby Greene had 32 disposals and a goal, Dylan Shiel had 31 touches and 10 clearances.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) farewelled the game by collecting 13 tackles – enough to break the record for tackles in a career – along with 21 disposals and six clearances for St Kilda in their loss to Adelaide.
 
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) kicked 3.3 and grabbed six marks for the Crows.
 
Tom Hawkins (Finley) booted a career-high seven goals, as well as taking 10 marks, for Geelong in the win over the Brisbane Lions.
 
Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 25 disposals, 10 tackles and eight inside 50s for the Swans in their loss. Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 20 touches, seven tackles and a goal.
 
Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 17 touches and six marks. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had seven one-percenters.
 
Anthony Miles (North Albury) had 25 disposals, eight clearances and a goal for the Tigers.
 
Isaac Smith (Temora) had 31 disposals and six rebound 50s in Hawthorn’s win over Collingwood. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) recorded 20 touches and seven marks.
 
Luke Breust (Temora) kicked a goal and generated six inside 50s.
 
Zac Williams (Narrandera) picked up 20 disposals, five marks, five tackles and a goal for the GIANTS in their win. Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had 19 touches, four marks and a goal.
 
Daniel Cross (Albury) had 25 disposals and five marks for Melbourne in the loss to North Melbourne.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) finished his year with six one-percenters and five marks in Carlton’s draw with Essendon.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 19 hitouts and three tackles for the Pies.
 
NEAFL (Elimination Finals)
 
Aspley 12.15 (87) def. Redland 9.10 (64)
NT Thunder 7.11 (53) def. Ainslie 5.6 (36)