Few would have predicted that the Sydney Swans would be playing Carlton in the second week of the 2013 AFL finals, yet here they are in what shapes as a thrilling finals encounter that could fall either way. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEST.
Carlton only came into the finals this year courtesy of sanctions imposed against Essendon, but quickly proved their legitimacy with a 20-point win over Richmond at the MCG.
The Blues came from a long way behind in the second half to close out with a victory, and will no doubt have gained plenty of confidence from that result that they’ll take with them in their trip up to Sydney.
The Swans were comprehensively beaten by Hawthorn in their final, but showed some promising signs throughout the first half.
John Longmire will be looking to see a similar start from his side here, but will know that the Swans can ill-afford to struggle out of half-time like they did last week — especially not against a Carlton side oozing with confidence and ready to snaffle up any chance that may arise.
The potential inclusion of inspirational leader Adam Goodes has the potential to be a huge boost for the home team, though they still bring a long injury list into the match.
The likes of Jarryd McVeigh and Lewis Roberts-Thompson are expected to undergo late fitness tests for their potential inclusion into the squad.
Playing away from the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney won’t be as comfortable playing at ANZ (losing both home games there this season) but they’ll certainly be more at home than the Blues.
Carlton have won just once in their last 12 trips to Sydney against the Swans, which also included a finals fixture at ANZ in 2010 —which the Swans won by five points in a thriller.
This one stands as being another close-fought affair, with the Swans desperate to prove their legitimacy as a finals contender.
Only one team in the past decade has made it into the semifinals after starting in the bottom half of the eight—a fact that doesn’t appear to give Carlton that much hope heading into this one.
But, as they say, statistics are made to broken and this could be further proof of that.
Either way, it stands as being another memorable finals fixture filled with can’t-miss footy. Make sure you join us live from 7.45pm AEST for full coverage and analysis.
JR Salazar
Guest
Doesn't matter. The Carlton fans can go buy their own Mars bars. Like the rest of the country.
Steve
Guest
Now be fair; they've gone further than any other 9th placed team in finals footy history.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME —— SWANS 86 (13.8) DEF. BLUES 62 (8.14) BY 24 POINTS Thanks for joining me tonight. Finals fixtures for next week are as follows: Hawthorn vs. Geelong @ Melbourne Cricket Ground Fremantle vs. Sydney @ Subiaco Oval Make sure you keep it on The Roar for all post-match news and analysis! Cheers.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME —— SWANS 86 (13.8) DEF. BLUES 62 (8.14) BY 24 POINTS Very good performance from the home team there. That's exactly what they would have wanted ahead of next week; will no doubt be a fantastic match against a well-rested Fremantle side. Question will obviously on the health of the Swans' players, though, with Tippett (thigh), Mitchell (ankle) and O'Keefe (calf) all in some doubt. TEAM STATISTICS Disposals Swans (448) led Blues (346) Clearances Swans (40) tied with Blues (40) Inside 50's Swans (61) led Blues (56) Tackles Swans (58) led Blues (39) INDIVIDUAL STATS GOALS Swans: Parker (3), McVeigh (2), Jack (2), Cunningham (2), Jetta, Kennedy, O'Keefe, Bolton Blues: Waite (3), Betts (2), Robinson, Gibbs, Armfield DISPOSALS Swans: McVeigh (42—yes, that's right), Hannebery (33), Grundy (32), Jack (30), O'Keefe (30) Blues: Walker (30), Simpson (28), Robinson (27), Murphy (25)
JR Salazar
Guest
Go buy your own Mars bars, Carlton fans; your season's over.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME —— SWANS 86 (13.8) DEF. BLUES 62 (8.14) BY 24 POINTS And that's the final whistle!! Sydney will play Freemantle next Saturday night in what promises to be a very fascinating fixture. Carlton can leave the finals series with the head still high after what they achieved. Just delivered a bad performance at the wrong time. Stats and reaction to come shortly.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 1:18 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 62 (8.14) Stretcher still out on the field. Jamison being carried on to it now. Crowd applauds. Sickening head injury there. Hopefully he's all right.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 1:18 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 62 (8.14) Sickening collision there for Jamison. Hope the lad's okay.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 1:43 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 62 (8.14) BEHIND - MURPHY (BLUES) Another quick snap after Sydney fail to clear, but he can't get it on target. Clock down to just one minute. Jamison down with an awkward collision—neck looks bad—and we'll have the stretcher here. Not what you want to see that in any game. Looks okay, but neck will be sore from that hit. Stretcher on the field now.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 02:00 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 61 (8.13) BEHIND - YARRAN (BLUES) Nice footy from Carlton inside 50. Yarran takes a mark close to the right boundary line, but he can't keep his kick on target and that will be this one all over. He misses, the gap stays at more than four goals.
old mate
Guest
wtf mate
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 03:14 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 60 (8.12) Carlton scored 0 points in the 3rd Q; Swans have scored 0 points so far in the 4th Q. Wonder if that's ever happened before. Fascinating.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 04:00 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 60 (8.12) GOAL - WAITE (BLUES) Robinson switches across half-back. Henderson back across to Robinson. Long down the line. Blues inside to Yarran, who drives a lovely pass across the ground to Waite who takes a strong mark again. From about 40 out, 45 degree angle to the right... he bangs another consolation goal. 26 points in four minutes??
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 05:00 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 54 (7.12) Bell down the line with the quick snap. Another throw-in for both teams. Sluggish.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 05:47 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 54 (7.12) Jetta breaks well. Beats a couple. Drives an ambitious attempt from 70 but it's wide.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 06:30 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 54 (7.12) BEHIND - RUSHED (BLUES) Bomb to the top of the square but off hands. Easily through for Sydney, who break quickly.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 07:20 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 53 (7.10) Carlton inside 50 but they can't hit their entry pass again and McVeigh crumbs. Switch across field. Everitt breaks from his own end. One bounce. Two. Three. Shoots from 50....and Walker marks on the line. Fantastic run from the big man. Carlton break quickly; out for a throw-in on halfway. Swans looking very tired now.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 09:11 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 52 (7.10) Throw in near the interchange gates now. Swans just taking the sting out of the game.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 09:44 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 52 (7.10) Waite wins a free right flank. Gibbs inside 50. Robinson soccers but it's marked by Malceski. Swans slowing this one down; getting lots of bodies around the footy to keep it at the stoppages. More composed now.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
Q4 11:00 remaining. Swans 86 (13.8) lead Blues 52 (7.10) Out for a throw-in inside 50 for the Swans.