The Sydney Swans have escaped with a 3-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday. It really was a top effort by a young Lions team to get so close to a star-studded Sydney Swans lineup.
REPORT: SWANS HOLD OFF GALLANT LIONS
Particularly good games for the likes of Dayne Zorko, Mitch Robinson and Allen Christensen who fought all the way till the end. Buddy Franklin was perhaps the difference today as he booted five majors and was a constant threat in the Sydney forward 50. Classy performances from Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery were seen once more as the Swans pick up a hard earned 4 points.
Credit to Brisbane though, they put up a fight not many expected to see. Justin Leppitsch will be happy, John Longmire not so much.
Final score
Sydney Swans 14.10 (94)
Brisbane Lions 15.7 (97)
It’ll be a tough ask for the Brisbane Lions as they welcome an in-form Sydney Swans outfit to the Gabba on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar from 1:10pm (AEST) for live scores and a blog of the match.
It hasn’t been a kind start to the season for Justin Leppitsch and his young Lions side. After five matches, they find themselves with just one win under the belts and nestled in an unattractive 16th position on the AFL ladder.
Contrastingly, their opponents come into this game with completely inverse fortunes, a 4-1 start to the season and in rampant form following an impressive 39-point victory over fellow premiership contenders the West Coast Eagles.
History isn’t on the side of the Lions either, having lost each of their last five encounters with the Swans by sizeable margins. There seems no reason for the tables to turn either, with the Swans’ forward line looking as potent as ever. Buddy Franklin has looked back to his best, bagging 18 goals in the opening five fixtures of 2016, whilst youngster Tom Papley looks like a quality edition to an already star-studded forward line. Don’t be surprised to see the Swans forwards put on absolute clinic.
Brisbane are a young side, boasting a number of fairly new players to the AFL. However, it will be a milestone game for the likes of Lewis Taylor and Stefan Martin who play their 50th and 150th AFL games respectively. It will also be a 150th appearance for Swan Dan Hannebery. One of the stories to come out of this game is the debut of Sydney’s Aliir Aliir.
It could be an absolute shellacking in Brisbane on Sunday as a massively favoured Swans outfit comes up against the relative inexperience of the Lions. A midfield mismatch is certainly on the cards with the form of Hannebery, Josh P Kennedy and Brownlow frontrunner Luke Parker well and truly on the up.
Prediction: Swans by 62.
Join The Roar from 1:10pm (AEST) for live scores and a blog of the match.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Sorry about that. My bad, got him confused with someone else I think.
Maggie
Guest
Re Alir, he is not an "academy product" as stated here. The Swans drafted him from East Fremantle with a 3rd round pick 44 in 2013.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me for this clash between the Lions and the Swans. I hope you enjoyed my coverage and continue to enjoy your sport on The Roar. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
FULLTIME AT THE GABBA Sydney Swans(15.7 97) defeat Brisbane Lions (14.10 94) by 3 points. It really was a top effort by a young Lions team to get so close to a star-studded Sydney Swans lineup. Particularly good games for the likes of Zorko, Robinson and Christensen who fought all the way till the end. Buddy Franklin was perhaps the difference today as he booted five majors and was a constant threat in the Sydney forward 50. Classy performances from Parker and Hannebery once more as the Swans pick up a hard earned 4 points. Credit to Brisbane though, they put up a fight not many expected to see. Leppitsch will be happy, Longmire not so much. Goals: Lions: Christensen 3, Hanley 2, Rich 2, Lester 2, Zorko, Bastinac, Keays, McStay, Walker Swans: Franklin 5, Hewett 3, Parker 3, McGlynn 2, Tippett, Heeney Disposals: Lions: Zorko 33, Rockliff 32, Robinson 28, Bell 24 Swans: Hannebery 33, Kennedy 30, Parker 29, Mitchell 28 B.O.G Votes: 3 - Dayne Zorko - Had an absolute blinder in a losing team. Picked up possession wonderfully in midfield and his running game provided some much needed speed through the middle. Deserved a victory today. 2 - Luke Parker - Popped up when the Swans needed him most. A number of clutch tackles and marks at key times in the game ensured his presence was one of the most influential on the park. Racked up 29 possessions as well as 3 goals. A great outing. 1- Buddy Franklin- Was the difference on the day. Provided a focal point to the Swans attack and was perennially dangerous in the forward 50. Booted five goals included some absolute screamers.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Lions take the mark in the forward 50. Walker kicks a goal with 2 seconds left on the clock. So, the Brisbane Lions will go down by 3 points at the Gabba. Lions 94 Swans 97
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Its been a spirited fight by a young Brisbane Lions side here but it won't be enough. 50 seconds on the clock as we countdown to a Sydney Swans victory. They've done enough. Just barely. Lions 88 Swans 97
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Parker bursts forward, the Swans send it long and Luke Parker takes the mark deep into forward 50. He'll shoot from 15m out, straight in front as the crowd boos. But Lukey Parker makes no mistake and takes the margin out to 9 points. Are the Swans home now? One and a half minutes left in this match. Lions 13.10 88 Swans 15.7 97
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Two and a half minutes on the clock now. Three points the margin. Brisbane must produce something, create the moment. Who will stand up and win this match for their team?! Lions 88 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Lions long but Lester can't take the mark!! Its deep pinned in there but no one can take a mark or send the kick in the direction of the goal! Zak Jones comes away with it eventually and the Swans surge. Sinclair the target - surely he'll kick a goal - all by himself and OH! He's slipped and fallen! Merrett can get back and cover. Sinclair remains down injured as the Lions send the ball down the field. Scenes at the Gabba!!! Can the Lions snatch a famous win?? Lions 88 Sydney 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Long ball to Buddy! He's one on one with Daniel Merrett! Surely, you'd think Buddy could get there and kick the goal but the defender goes hard and pins the ball to Franklin! Holding the ball! Clutch play from Merrett! Can the Lions build and snatch a goal with five on the clock?? Lions 88 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Zorko sptrints through midfield! Looks for Lewis Taylor! He can't grasp it. Its in and out and in out! Frantic scenes at the Gabba! The Swans marking up one on one and they've kept it out somehow! Rockliff loads up from distance but he doesn't hit the target! Its a behind! THREE POINTS. Lions 88 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Swans go forward but Papley has given away a freekick for a push in the back! The Lions can clear now. What can they produce? Lions 87 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 The Lions are coming!!!! Its Bastinac, to Christensen to Rich! The big names involved as Daniel Rich gets on the end of some classy play through the middle and bounces it through for a goal from 40m out! Its a four point ball game!! EIGHT MINUTES ON THE CLOCK! Lions 87 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Parker gets a freekick on forward 50 now as he is tackled roughly. Its roosted long by Parker but the Brisbane back line is up to the task. Margin remains at 10. Lions 81 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Rockliff streaks through the midfield and picks out Alan Christensen who is one step ahead of Alir Aliir and pulls in the mark. He's a good kick too, puts it straight through the middle. Lions still in this game! Christensen has two! Lions 12.9 81 Swans 14.7 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Tippett lines up from 50m on the right. He gives it a roost but its through for a behind on the near side. Lions 75 Swans 91
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Lloyd gathers up the ball on the wing and locks up and finds Ben McGlynn deep in the pocket who takes a comfortable mark. It was a tough kick but he gave it his best. Just shy towards the near side and through for a point. Lions 11.9 75 Swans 14.6 90
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 A good clearance from Dan Hannebery as the Lions looked to lock the ball down their end. Lions 75 Swans 89
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Heeney with a mark now on a slight angle. He'll kick from 45m out. Youngster Heeney makes no mistake, shows a steady head and slots with a lovely looking drop punt. Yet again, a little bit more space for the Sydney Swans. Margin out to 14 once again. Heeney's first. Lions 75 Swans 89
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Q4 Robinson received a big bump from Kennedy in the middle and he'll have a spell. Looks very tired as do many other members of this Lions team. Can they muster up the strength to keep up with the Swans? Lions 75 Swans 83