A free ticket to the Preliminary Final is on the line as the Adelaide Crows host the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium. We’ll have live AFL finals scores and updates from 3:15pm AEST (2:45pm local)
It’s fair to say that both sides are somewhat underrated coming into the finals series.
Adelaide with their soft draw that’s seen them play both the Gold Coast and GWS twice throughout the season and the Sydney Swans just continually being underdogs, while losing three of their last four against fancied September opponents.
Today, one of these teams will be one win away from a Grand Final spot – something thought close to impossible at the start of the season.
The Adelaide Crows come into today’s game not only with the home ground advantage, but with a massive hold on clashes against the Swans.
In the last ten years, the Swans have only been able to get past the Crows twice. Even in the year’s they made the Grand Final they weren’t able to beat Adelaide.
The question surrounding the Adelaide Crows is a fair one – when the test comes in the finals, have they had enough of a test throughout the season?
Their loss to the Brisbane Lions three weeks ago was a worrying one, when they led early only to have the Lions run over them.
They’ve done what they needed to do in their last two matches – a 79-point win against Melbourne and a 91-point win against the Suns. At the very least, it was good to see them do what was needed.
The inclusion of Taylor Walker into the lineup gives the Crows their strong forward-line that extra boost. But as we’ve seen so far in 2012, the duo of Walker and Kurt Tippett hasn’t always worked (a bit like how Cloke and Dawes has hardly worked for Collingwood).
The midfield has been dynamic all season with Scott Thompson continually wracking up possessions, Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield feeding the forward line, while Nathan van Berlo and Brent Reilly have been stout defenders at times of need.
There’s no doubt when you’ve watched the Adelaide Crows this season, they have been exceptional no matter who they’ve played. That comes from the great mind of Brenton Sanderson who has tinkered with the game plan enough for it to become a more attacking team, while still keeping the elements of defence drilled into them by former coach Neil Craig.
For the Sydney Swans, flying under the radar is quite normal for them.
They signalled their intentions for a flag when they flew to the other side of the country to beat the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium – and finally the AFL world stood up and took notice.
Since then, they have become the hunted. Losing to Collingwood and Hawthorn in the last minutes were good battles and showed they can match it with the best, while being blown away in the forty minutes by Geelong on the road showed signs of fatigue setting in for the Swans.
But it’s very rare for the Swans to put in two poor performances in a row – their losses this season have not been blow outs.
The reason for the Swans being so successful, especially in the first half of the season was the number of goal kickers they’ve been able to find.
Lewis Jetta is their leading goal scorer with forty, while seven other players have been able to score twenty goals of more (an equal best in the league).
It is fair to say though Jetta has been shut down effectively in the back half of the season, where he looked to be a chance to win the Coleman a couple of months ago.
Sam Reid coming back into the lineup is a major plus as they too strengthen their forward line. He averages 1.5 goals a game and is a plus for their smaller forwards like Jetta and O’Keefe.
Jude Bolton back in the Sydney team is remarkable and played pretty well last week for patches and will be better for the run.
The shining light of the Swans has been their defence – the stingiest in the entire league. Ted Richards deserves to be in the All-Australian team for his shut down roles on some of the biggest forwards in the competition, while the rise of Alex Johnson has been impressive.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson has had another stellar year, while the smaller defenders in Nick Malceski and Rhyce Shaw continue to go unnoticed for their work.
If Walker and Tippett aren’t firing for the Adelaide Crows, this is where the Swans can really take control of the contest.
clipper
Guest
Pretty good ratings (143,000) for an afternoon game in Sydney - beating Ch9 news (141,000)
Anthony
Guest
Yes, Swans win, Crows collapse! Heading for a big Final at Homebush in 2 weeks.
Richo
Guest
You beauty!!! Hard run home did them a favour. Adelaide with their soft run home struggled to match the tempo. I'd keep LRT in the backline he was awesome today.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Sydney 11.5 71 def. Adelaide 5.12 42 So the Sydney Swans set up a home preliminary final in a fortnight. They can sit back and relax a little, recuperate and get some niggling little injuries cleared up. For Adelaide, this was always going to be a danger game for them, but really looked outgunned in a defensive master-class. For them, they play next Friday night in the Second Semi Final against the winner of the Geelong vs. Fremantle match tonight. That's our coverage of the Second Qualifying Final. The Swans win by 29pts and are one win away from their 3rd Grand Final in 7 years. The underdogs get up and could be on for something special. Don't forget to join us at 7:45pm AEST for coverage from the MCG between Geelong and Fremantle, the first of two elimination finals. It's sure to be a hum-dinger. Alfred Chan will have the match covered for you tonight.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Sydney 11.5 71 def. Adelaide 5.12 42 Quarter by Quarter Adelaide 1.3 2.7 3.10 5.12 Sydney 2.2 7.2 8.4 11.5 Goalscorers Adel (5) – Taylor Walker 1, Nathan van Berlo 1, Rory Sloane 1, Graham Johncock 1, Ian Callinan 1 Syd (7) – Adam Goodes 3, Mitch Morton 2, Lewis Jetta 2, Ben McGlynn 1, Sam Reid 1, Luke Parker 1, Josh Kennedy 1 Player Stats Ryan O’Keefe (SYD) 26 kicks, 11 handballs, 18 contested possessions, 8 tackles, 9 clearances, 4 inside 50’s, 4 rebound 50’s, 6 score involvements Josh Kennedy (SYD) 13 kicks, 22 handballs, 21 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 10 clearances, 1 goal Scott Thompson (ADEL) 18 kicks, 10 handballs, 17 contested possessions, 8 tackles, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50’s Daniel Hannebery (SYD) 10 kicks, 17 handballs, 4 tackles Rhyce Shaw (SYD) 14 kicks, 13 handballs, 6 marks, 7 rebound 50’s Michael Doughty (ADEL) 13 kicks, 13 handballs, 10 marks Team Stats Disposals: Syd 391-333; Contested Possessions: Syd 148-146; Disposal Efficiency: Syd 71%-65%; Tackles: Syd 76-50; Clearances Syd 42-33; Inside 50’s: Adel 59-37; Time In Forward Half: Adel 51%, Syd 36%, In Dispute 13%
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Sydney 11.5 71 def. Adelaide 5.12 42 The Sydney Swans are into another home preliminary final as they get past the Adelaide Crows by 29 points. The defensive game of the Swans was exemplary. Ted Richards and Lewis Roberts-Thomson were outstanding, while Rhyce Shaw played out of his skin. Through the midfield it was Ryan O’Keefe who racked up close to 40 possessions, while Adam Goodes was the X-Factor in the opening half of footy. Not too many winners for the Crows, who were forced to scrap like mad just to get the footy. They’re kicking was poor near goal. Despite plenty of the football up forward, they never made the most of it. It’s their lowest score of the year.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:21 left | Adel 5.12 42 | Syd 11.5 71 Patrick Dangerfield being attended to by the trainers. Slipped as he kicked... then get a forearm from Jude Bolton. But Bolton couldn't do much about that.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:15 left | Adel 5.12 42 | Syd 11.5 71 Graham Johncock has a shot on goal from 50m... touched on the line AGAIN by the Swans defence. That's where the game's been won.
Kylie blackwell
Guest
Very disappointing game the old crows are showing and Tippet what a joke his heart isnt with the crows wouldnt play him next week
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:06 left | Adel 5.11 41 | Syd 11.5 71 Free kick, then a 50m penalty to the Sydney Swans - it's going to Josh Kennedy, what a season he's had. Can he help get his side into the Preliminary Final? You betcha! GOAL to the Swans, they're home!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:45 left | Adel 5.11 41 | Syd 10.5 65 Well, this one just about done now... the Swans doing well to eat up time and really slow down the play. There's a rumour doing the rounds that the AFL messed up the booking with ANZ Stadium and the prelim final may have to be played at the SCG...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:24 left | Adel 5.11 41 | Syd 10.5 65 Great mark taken by Martin Mattner across centre wing - stops a certain chance on goal for the Crows down the other end. Instead can help eek out some more time. Crows try to go forward again, Jacobs handballs off to Aidan Riley (sub) and then chips over the top to Graham Johncock! Takes the mark. They need 5 goals to win it... this to start it... nope. Off to the left.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:30 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 10.5 65 Adelaide have to take chances now - better to lose by 45 by taking chances, than losing by 25 and not doing much. There's no percentage taken into account in finals - just go out and have a crack in the last 8 minutes!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:30 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 10.5 65 Patrick Dangerfield takes on his opponent across half back and tries to set up a scoring chance for the Crows... Matthew Wright tries to snap it into the pocket, but defensive mark to Rhyce Shaw.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:33 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 10.5 65 Martin Mattner launches the footy back inside 50 for the Swans, but it's thumped away by the Crows defence. Ball in, Kieren Jack tries to get it into the pocket. Daniel Talia knocks it away from the pocket, out to the half back line, Mitch Morton though keeps chasing after him. Out of bounds. Meanwhile, Talia looks like he might have done something to his forearm. Oh dear. That's not great for him or for the Crows.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:42 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 10.5 65 Kieren Jack keeps the ball alive on the wing, could've easily taken it out of bounds. To Adam Goodes, kicks inside 50 - MORTON! Again! Handballs off to Lewis Jetta, launches from 40m out... GOAL!!! That's going to make it mighty tough now!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:00 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 9.5 59 From the ball in, it comes free to Ryan O'Keefe... but it's only a behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:10 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 9.4 58 Ben Rutten outworks Mike Pyke across half back to win the ball back for the Crows. Daniel Talia now kicks into the pocket to Tippet... not quite, had 2 bites at it, couldn't cleanly get it. Swans clear it again. Now Adam Goodes is on the gallop. Kicks into the forward pocket for the Swans, Mitch Morton gathers, snaps... bounces away from the goal line and out of bounds
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:20 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 9.4 58 Long kick into the forward 50, Rhyce Shaw tries to defend it clear, but again goes out on the full. Long again inside 50m towards Tippett, couldn't mark. Porplyzia can't get a kick clear in the scrum. Running away though is Adam Goodes... does brilliantly and clears it for the Swans
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:10 left | Adel 5.10 40 | Syd 9.4 58 And after all that, Ian Callinan's the man subbed off for the Crows. Riley on for the Crows. Centre clearance for the Crows... Johncock looking for a free kick in the forward pocket - not coming, ball eventually cleared by Kieren Jack, but out on the full