Sydney firebrand Tom Papley has booted the match-winner to safe a two-point triumph in a thriller in opposition to the Western Bulldogs on the SCG.
Both groups had a number of possibilities to grab victory within the dying phases nevertheless it was the Swans that held on for an 11.12 (78) to 11.10 (76) win on Thursday evening to maintain their finals hopes alive.
Papley completed with 4 majors, making him probably the most prolific ahead on the evening, nevertheless it was his aim on the run on the 22-minute mark of the ultimate quarter that secured the stirring win in John Longmire’s three hundredth recreation as coach.
The slim victory retains the Swans (7-1-9) inside attain of eighth place as they put a extreme dent within the Bulldogs’ top-four hopes.
Errol Gulden (30 disposals) was excellent for the Swans to proceed his breakout season, whereas Ollie Florent (23 disposals, two targets) and co-captain Luke Parker (23 disposals) had been additionally essential.
The Swans entered the conflict with rising talls Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey as their ruck duo to tackle the Dogs’ main massive man Tim English.
It was a transfer that backfired early as English made an influence on the stoppages and across the floor, and went on to complete with 22 disposals, 10 clearances and 60 hitouts.
The Dogs threatened to interrupt the sport open within the first time period as they dominated the possessions 122-67 together with a 17-8 benefit in clearances to construct a 19-point lead at quarter-time.
But the Swans had been in a position to benefit from their very own strengths from there with swift ball motion and an environment friendly ahead line, notably with Papley including a spark and Lance Franklin booting two targets.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli (31 disposals, two targets) led the way in which for the Bulldogs however back-to-back losses has them susceptible to tumbling out of the highest eight with the remainder of spherical 18 nonetheless to play.
Tom Liberatore was immense for the Bulldogs, gathering 30 disposals with game-highs for 19 contested ball and 11 clearances, in addition to booting the opening aim of the sport inside 45 seconds.
Adam Treloar (33 disposals), Ed Richards (28) and Jack Macrae (24) discovered loads of the ball for the Bulldogs, whereas Aaron Naughton booted three targets.
But the Dogs had been hit laborious by accidents with younger talls Sam Darcy (corked thigh) and James O’Donnell (concussion) each dominated out within the center phases of the competition.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
