Swans go down in NEAFL Grand Final heartbreaker

The Sydney Swans have fallen to yet another narrow Grand Final defeat, as the Brisbane Lions won the NEAFL Premiership by three points.

Inaccuracy ruined any chance of a Swans victory, as they kicked 22 behinds for the match. This included nine behinds in the last quarter as they threw everything at the Lions to try and get back in the lead.

The Lions kicked the first goal of the match after a dubious 50-metre penalty against Aliir Aliir. The Swans, however, would take a four-point lead going into the first break after goals to Jordan Dawson and Sam Wicks.

The sides traded goals in the second quarter, with the Lions narrowly poking their heads in front by three points at half-time. The first half showed that it was not going to be a high-scoring affair as both sides put in an extremely physical performance.

The Lions opened up the biggest lead of the game in the third quarter, kicking five goals to two. The 20-point lead they took into the final break would prove to be enough, as the misfiring Swans could only get to within three points.

The Swans had plenty of chances to take the lead in the final moments of the fourth quarter but were unable to capitalise.

Jordan Dawson has a massive day for the Swans, kicking four goals to go with 28 disposals and seven marks. He was well assisted by Jordan Foote who picked up 28 disposals and laid five tackles.

Daniel Robinson also put in a strong performance at the stoppages, picking up ten clearances to go with 27 disposals and seven inside-50s.

Youngsters, Oliver Florent and Will Hayward were both impressive in their first final for the Swans, applying pressure for the whole four quarters. Florent finished with eight tackles, while Hayward finished with seven for the match.

Kurt Tippett had a good day in the ruck, with 41 hit-outs for the match. He will be disappointed however, that he wasn’t able to impact on the scoreboard.

The loss marks the Swans fourth Grand Final defeat in the last five years. The three-point heartbreak adds to the numerous close losses they have had over the years, and it will surely spur them onto to go one step better in 2018.

 

FINAL SCORES

Sydney Swans – 2.6 5.10 7.13 10.22 (82)

Brisbane Lions – 2.2 6.7 11.9 12.13 (85)

Sydney Swans Goals: J Dawson (4); T Pink (2); S Wicks C O’Riordan S Edwards B Ronke (1)

Brisbane Lions Goals: B Grewar (3); J Allison C Ballenden B Keays (2); C Beams L O’Sullivan C Lyons (1)

Sydney Swans Best: J Foote, W Hayward, T Pink, O Florent, J Dawson

Brisbane Lions Best: B Keays, M Eagles, M Hinge, J Allison, B Grewar, J Jansen