Sydney have held off cross-town rivals GWS to safe their fourth consecutive AFL victory and provides their finals hopes a lift with an 11-point win at Giants Stadium.
The Swans booted 12 targets straight and led by as a lot as 4 majors earlier than registering a behind, nevertheless it took a long-range snap from Chad Warner within the dying phases to seal the 15.6 (96) to 12.13 (85) triumph on Saturday night time.
The Giants had overrun their opponents within the last time period twice previously three rounds, and did the identical within the Sydney Derby in spherical seven however fell brief this time because the Swans held on to remain in contact with the highest eight.
Errol Gulden (32 disposals, two targets) was very good all through and the important thing to the Swans matching the Giants at their very own recreation, the gun midfielder often concerned of their swift transitions whereas Luke Parker (26 touches, 5 clearances) and James Rowbottom (24, 7) had been influential on the stoppages.
The Swans (10-9-1) additionally took early steps towards placing the retirement of Lance Franklin behind them as key forwards Hayden McLean (4 targets) and Joel Amartey (two) appeared potent close to purpose earlier than storms arrived.
Isaac Heeney (two targets) was one other ahead risk and added a goal-of-the-year contender when selecting up the ball simply contained in the boundary line and snapping actually from 45m off one step within the second time period.
“We’ve played him all year, kept him going and kept persisting and giving him opportunities because he’s got a big tank and can play a couple of different roles,” Swans coach John Longmire stated about McLean stepping up in Franklin’s absence.
“He’s been able to kick goals in front of the ball, he’s been able to go in the ruck and do that as well. Pretty handy, those types of players.”
The courageous loss snaps the Giants’ (11-9) membership report seven-match successful streak and brings them again to the pack of groups eyeing off a finals spot with three rounds to play.
GWS onballer Tom Green (38 disposals) was shortly again to his finest after lacking three matches with a hamstring harm, with Stephen Coniglio (25) and Josh Kelly (23) additionally essential when the sport was on the road.
Defender Nick Haynes celebrated his 2 hundredth match with a purpose within the second time period, simply the thirteenth main of his 12-year profession with GWS, and turned again the clock with 17 touches and 6 marks.
Giants skipper Toby Greene booted three majors and handed 50 targets for the season for the primary time in his profession, whereas Jesse Hogan and Callum Brown each kicked two.
The first Sydney Derby at Giants Stadium since 2019 was a shootout within the first half because the Swans made probably the most of their alternatives with 11 targets straight from 23 inside 50s to the Giants’ 7.6 from 40 entries.
The enthralling contest tightened up from there in heavy rain and the Swans fought off a well-known Giants problem late within the recreation.
“It was an arm wrestle all day, there’s no question about that. Derbies always are,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley stated.
“They’re a coin flip every time. It doesn’t matter what the form line says, it doesn’t matter who’s in, who’s out, they’re coin flips.”
GWS will look to reignite their late season surge once they journey to face Port Adelaide on Sunday, whereas Sydney will host Gold Coast on Saturday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
