The Sydney Swans have been upset by local rivals the GWS Giants in what was a massive upset during the first AFL Qualifying final.
The Giants only led by two points at halftime, but put the foot down during a physial second half, ending with a massive and convincing victory.
Final score
Sydney Swans – 7.13.55
GWS Giants – 12.19.91
A win for the Sydney Swans or the Greater Western Sydney Giants will see them book a home preliminary final when they face off on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium. Follow all of the action from this qualifying final on The Roar from 3:20pm (AEST).
2016 is coming together nicely for Sydney and the minor premiers head into the finals as one of the premiership favourites.
The Swans are firing on all cylinders, their reliable veterans being well assisted by talented youngsters including Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills.
This year, the Giants have confirmed their credentials as a premiership threat. With the addition of some experienced players, along with getting another year into their talented youngsters, GWS have become a powerhouse with their attacking style of football.
One key aspect is the game being played at ANZ Stadium, despite the Swans playing their 2016 home games at the SCG.
Opinion is divided over who this will favour, with many considering it an advantage for the Giants as ANZ is a similar shape to their home ground, Spotless Stadium, where they play so well.
While they won’t be playing directly against each other the two spearheads will have major roles, as Lance Franklin returns to finals action against young gun Jeremy Cameron.
The other riveting battle sees the Swans’ finals-hardened midfield – including Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack and Daniel Hannebery – face off against the Giants on-ball brigade of Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Dylan Shiel.
Arguably the biggest factor in this game could be GWS’s lack of finals experience compared to the Swans. While they have added a wealth of experience with the likes of Ryan Griffen and Steve Johnson, a number of Giants are facing the acid test of finals football for the first time.
Prediction
The only thing that I can use to split these sides is finals experience, so I’m tipping the Swans in a close one.
Swans by 10 points.
Will Sydney continue their great season or can the Giants knock off their fancied rivals? Join us on The Roar from 3:20pm (AEST) for the action.
JR Salazar
Guest
Clean sweep! GWS win the NEAFL flag! #NEAFLGF #NEAFL #NEAFLSwansGiants #NEAFLGrandFinal
Faye
Guest
My thoughts exactly!! I was of the opinion the AFL were trying to stamp out the reckless incidents involving the head. Will be interesting to see if Stevie J and Mumford are penalised. They should miss weeks!!!
Faye
Guest
Agree completely with your comments Brendon. Stevie J should definitely get weeks for the dirty play on Josh Kennedy and everyone loves Mummy but he too should get weeks as well as a hefty fine. It was evident what these TWO GWS players intentions were!! Mummy could have caused serious damage to Tippett the way he SLAMMED him into the turf. Having said that, GWS played very well and were the better team THIS time. For Sydney, its not curtains just yet.
anon
Guest
Not really surprising. They did pump Sydney by 42 points earlier in the year. I have been gung ho on the Giants since the Hawthorn massacre. Geelong still favourites given the VFL grand final is always at the MCG, but GWS will do the job against Hawthorn in the preliminary. Hawthorn's soft uncontested brand of football will be eaten up by this hard nosed GWS team, with Hawthorn being made to look old and slow as GWS move the ball from end to end with ease
Brendon
Guest
So... Not worth giving the 4th place side a home game? The swans didn't play well and I hope Steve j gets rubbed out of the next game. I believe his dirty play changed the game. It's hard to not like the running play these giants have. They just always seem to be going forward with numbers. I'm scared for what they will be in two years. I believe the Hawks least want to verse GWS in the preliminary final and the swans would prefer the cats. This could be interesting if Adelaide and the Bulldogs don't throw any spammers into the works. My guess is a rematch with these two for the flag
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Roar Guru
The Greater Western Sydney Giants have made an immediate impact in finals football with a convincing 36-point win over the Sydney Swans. A dominant second half helped the Giants seal the win and a home preliminary final in a couple of weeks. With plenty on the line it was the Swans who started stronger as a couple of early goals to Papley helped them sneak out to an early lead. However the Giants weren’t about to roll over as they began to take it up to the Swans in the physicality stakes as a number of spot fires broke out. The physicality of the game began to show as Kennedy and Tippet both went off in the opening term after head knocks as a result of heavy clashes. A late goal to Toby Greene helped the Giants sneak away to a one-point lead at the opening break. The arm wrestle continued in the second stanza as both sides were not prepared to give an inch to their cross town rivals. The Giants struck first through Greene who finished well in traffic for a goal but the Swans answered minutes later through George Hewett. Former number one draft pick Lachie Whitfield capped off a big first half of hard running with a goal as he roved one well off the back of a pack to run into an open goal. In a positive sign for the Swans in the second term, Josh Kennedy returned and kicked an important goal. But another knock to Tippett and a hamstring injury to rising star Callum Mills put the Swans in a tough position with a half still to play. After a number of missed chances by both sides late in the term, it was the Giants who went into the main break with a slender two-point lead. After a chance to regroup at half time, both teams came out strongly in the third stanza as it turned into a back and forth arm wrestle. After a scrappy first 10 minutes, Giants forward Jeremey Cameron turned the game on its head with three goals in a row including a couple that came from great defensive efforts by the big forward. The Swans finally got a goal late in the term through McGlynn, but that was nullified by a late goal to Scully for GWS which helped his team go into the final break with a 21-point lead. The momentum continued in the final term for the Giants as they controlled the contest in all areas of the ground. In a credit to their defence, the Giants managed to keep Franklin, Tippett and Rohan all goalless. A strong finish helped the Giants seal a memorable 36 points against their cross town rivals. One worry for the Giants will be Johnson and Mumford who will be in hot water for a couple of incidents. While for the Swans they will be looking to bounce back against the winner of the Crows and Kangaroos. Votes: 3 Stephen Coniglio 2 Lachie Whitfield 1 Jeremy Cameron
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Roar Guru
Wow what a result! Thanks for joining me and stay tuned for my match report and votes. What were your thoughts on that game?
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Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Camerons misses a snap. FULL TIME Swans 55 Giants 89
Cat
Roar Guru
What a fizzes of a match
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Roar Guru
BEHIND Giants Smith has a couple of bounces but misses from 50. 40 secs. to go Q4 Swans 55 Giants 90
Simoc
Guest
Awesome performance from the Giants. Based on this performance they can win the Premiership Flag.
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Roar Guru
BEHIND SWANS Hannebery snaps but it is just touched. 2:05 to go Q4 Swans 55 Giants 89
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Roar Guru
BEHIND SWANS Parker wheels around and misses the snap. 2:50 to go Q4 Swans 54 Giants 89
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GOAL SWANS Jack gets one for the Swans from dead in front off one step. 4:41 to go Q4 Swans 53 Giants 89
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Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS The Swans turn it over and Ward has a shot on his left and nails it. 5:53 to go Q4 Swans 47 Giants 89
titch
Guest
Young Frankenstein beats Frankenstein the Elder. Who would have thought...
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Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Lobb tries to pass from distance but it goes to the square and is punched through. Crowd figure: 60,222 6:56 to go Q4 Swans 47 Giants 83
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
60,222
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BEHIND SWANS Papley snaps one in traffic but misses. 7:46 to go Q4 Swans 47 Giants 82
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Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS Smith gets some space and shoots on the run but misses to the left. GOAL GIANTS The Swans turn it over and Scully capitalises from dead in front. 8:18 to go Q4 Swans 46 Giants 82