Revered Sydney veteran Adam Goodes has the chance to become the Swans’ first three-time AFL premiership winner, after supplying some team-lifting inspiration in their 71-point preliminary final thumping of North Melbourne.
The win at ANZ Stadium on Friday night advanced Sydney to their fourth grand final in ten years, giving Goodes the chance to enjoy a fairytale finish if his 16th senior season turns out to be his last.
Goodes marked his 350th game with three goals and 17 possessions and provided the spark after North kicked the first goal in each of the first two quarters.
Goodes doesn’t touch the ball as often as he once did but his eight first-half touches delivered two goals and set up another one.
“He’s still got it,” Swans coach John Longmire said of Goodes’ explosive pace.
The Kangaroos kicked the first goal of the game and looked lively until Goodes produced a momentum-changing major, skilfully swivelling onto his left foot and splitting the sticks.
That was the first of four straight goals for Sydney that set up their 21-point quarter-time lead.
It was a similar story in the second quarter, as North looked to mount a comeback and kicked the opening goal of the term.
Once again, Goodes stepped up, bounding away and kicking his 26th goal of the season and 435th of a career liberally sprinkled with individual and team accolades.
But perhaps the best moment of his milestone game came right at the end of the quarter, as he touched the ball twice and combined with Lance Franklin to set up Kurt Tippett for a goal.
“He’s looking sharper than he has all year … I thought he was done,” former Essendon forward Matthew Lloyd said on radio station 3AW.
Goodes wasn’t as influential in the second half, but he didn’t need to be.
As has been the case for most of the year, the dual Brownlow Medallist was content to do his bit and play his role and leave the likes of Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack and Luke Parker to run the show.
There was still time in the final quarter for Goodes to mark and kick a third goal from close range.
He had a chance to equal his season-best haul of four, but kicked a behind from a set shot after Franklin unselfishly gave the ball up.
Teo
Guest
Best answer ever Don!
Momentbymoment
Guest
Don has never let reality get in the way ...
Don Freo
Guest
I hope you post them on the cricket site, Nat. We'll be back again at trade time then again at draft time.
Natalie SwansFan
Guest
We've got a lot to say Jakey boy!! God help you all when we win the GF, there won't be an article that isn't about my Swannies!!
Natalie SwansFan
Guest
Who said you were a North supporter? I said you were an opposition fan. They have been my Swannies since 1982 Al. Nice try.
Al
Guest
I'm not a North supporter but nice try. How long have they been "your swannies", circa 2005 perchance?
Don Freo
Guest
Yo ho heave ho. You can't be reading any of my comments if you think I ever get down about anything.
Jake
Guest
Geez you swans supporters write some enormous posts
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I would be extremely surprised if Reid is in the starting 22 if Port make the GF. Will be an interesting selection, but I see him as a 'horses for courses' player and from what I saw last night I wouldn't have him in my team against a fast running back of centre attack. He will play if it is Hawthorn since Clarko likes to play the game of chaos theory. He will be needed as a versatile swing man to match any unusual positional changes Clarko throws about at the centre bounces.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Swans looking good. In theory, Swans should win next week. Hawks v port will be a tough game and the winner will be much more hard pressed then Sydney were last night. Swans have their best 22 in form and having played. Hawks and Port do not have this, as even if Cyril were, and if Hawks were to win, neither has much practice with the other this year. Port have some similar problems. Every cylinder of the Swans is firing, not a weak cog. Swans have proven they can beat Port anywhere this year. Hawks can be beaten anywhere by the Swans, who's only challenge at any particular ground is H&A @ ANZ. Footy never ceases to amaze. But sometimes, we all try to look for answers to tough questions. This is mine to who will win next week. The search for answers does not always predict the right outcome, but we can try.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
I just wouldn't ever compare Goodes to Reid. This is half the problem with the roar audience, they underate the bloke at 34. Reids role is not to be compared to Goodes, they are different players. Reid spends more time in defence than Goodes does. I agree he is not one of our best, but his role is still pretty crucial and he played it last night. As for Mitchell, well he is not being kept out of the side because of Reid. Jake Llyod is the reason and the article I read by Mark Robinson on Friday pretty much sums up why Mitchell won't get a game ahead of him. Work rate. Llyod is a true Blood. Not sure Mitchell is. And as for O'Keefe, well he simply isn't in our best 22. Reid is.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
So Don is that 7 straight finals games you have now tipped incorrectly? What's even more impressive is statistically you should have guessed one correctly by now. :) just messing with you DON, I know you can get a bit down so keep your chin up buddy, you will get one right sooner or later.
Mark
Guest
Clearly it's Freo. They just had some strategic losses ;)
Michael huston
Guest
If Gary Rohan is going to replace Malceski, he needs to improve his kicking out of sight. It will take time but I'm sure the dodgy disposals will be replaced as he gets more confidence and settles into the role. I'll have to disagree about Reid. Whilst his first quarter was actually solid, as usual, he went MIA. His defensive game is non-existant and there were several times last night he could have applied pressure to the ball carriers in North but his effort just wasn't there, and never is. I think the reason our back line was quiet is because it just wasn't down there much. Grundy and Richards took turns spoiling in the incoming balls, Rampe and Shaw served as the get out of trouble players with the quick hands, and Rohan and Malceski took turns launching into attack, with Rohan doing a far better job. Malceski lookes noticeably hesitant throughout the game in terms of taking it on like he usually does. But one thing I still admire him for his is toughness. It's never mentioned, but think about how many times he goes back with the flight of the ball for a pack mark, or lays a Bolton-style tackle, or constantly gets knocked around by the opposition and he just gets back up. He's a champion. Peter to prove my point about Reid, compare him to Goodes. Both play swinging roles (except Goodes is on the wing rather than defense or the ruck) and spend plenty of time in the forward line to score goals and up the ground to get plenty of the ball. Reid had 8 possessions, 5 marks, 1 tackle and 2 behinds. Goodes had 17 possessions, 5 marks, 2 tackles and 3 goals. They play cameo roles I guess you could say and are there as a supporting cast. But Goodes, at 34, gave Reid a lesson in how good a supporting player can be. Reid just doesn't cut it. Not when the likes of Tom Mitchell and Mr Effort himself ROK won't make it into our grand final side. I'll be extremely nervous if we play Hawthorn because they can potentially beat us with our match-ups. Against Freo and North, the key to victory has been our boys doing everything right to a. Minimise the impact of their opponent and b. Ensure we control the game. But I could realistically see Hawthorn turning the tables against us. Roughead beating Richards, Bruest beating Smith, Isaac Smith beating Cunningham, Lake beating Franklin or Tippett, Mitchell and Lewis beating Kennedy and Parker etc. But I guess that's why I've been rooting for the Sydney v Hawthorn grand final. Not because of Buddy, but because they are so evenly matched it's ridiculous. It could come down to one match-up swinging towards a certain player to determine who wins. Sydney were more dominant throughout most of the season, but that was only because Hawthorn had injuries for most of the year. Now they're full strength, they've inevitably caught up to us. I just hope Hawthorn and Port knock the wind out of each other!
Mark
Guest
I wish I could be as confident as you Natalie!
Teo
Guest
Who's best Don?
Teo
Guest
Not you Natalie, the cola complainer
Don Freo
Guest
Well...maybe I was wrong. I had Sydney as the third best in the comp...maybe they are second best. Ah well...I guess 2nd best versus 4th best...or 6th best is interesting enough.
Teo
Guest
Weak commentary.
Natalie SwansFan
Guest
Another weak comment from an opposition fan that doesn't understand outstanding list management and recruiting brilliance. Guess your club is enjoying their trip away right now hey champ? Perhaps that legitimate club will be the one that the AFL handed $14m to in 2011. Yeah real legitimate. CHEER CHEER THE RED AND THE WHITE!!!!