Sydney have completed an astonishing one-point AFL victory over Essendon at the SCG, sneaking home via a Gary Rohan conversion from the goal square after the final siren.
The Bombers looked set to complete an epic come-from-behind win on Friday night, piling on seven consecutive goals to hit the front with 10 minutes remaining.
The visitors pushed it out to a 19-point lead but the Swans rallied in remarkable fashion. Lance Franklin missed two shots in the ensuing chaos, but his side still managed to kick two goals in the final 80 seconds.
The margin was cut to five points when Franklin marked outside the 50m arc, wheeled around and kicked his sixth behind of the night.
Soon after, the Sherrin landed in the lap of Rohan, who had cost Sydney two goals during the Bombers’ preceding blitz, and the flame-haired speedster did not disappoint.
The Swans won 11.20 (86) to 12.13 (85), surging into the AFL’s top eight for the first time this season.
Both sides were guilty of crippling turnovers and inaccurate goalkicking, especially in the opening half.
Swans skipper Josh Kennedy, as has been the case throughout his side’s revival, was inspirational in the engine room and likely to earn the three Brownlow votes.
The Bombers landed in NSW with two worrying records hanging over their heads.
The Swans had won the past six meetings between the clubs, while Franklin had averaged a bag of five goals in his 13 clashes with Essendon.
They successfully shot down one of the hoodoos. Franklin was held goalless by the Bombers for the first time in his 260-game career.
It wasn’t entirely the visitors’ doing. Franklin had the yips, as did fellow key forward Sam Reid, in what was far from Sydney’s most-polished performance of the year.
The Swans, however, move to a position where finals are somehow on the cards.
It is some achievement, given they opened 2017 with six straight losses. No club has rallied from a 0-5 start and reached finals, let alone 0-6.
Desiree
Guest
Bruce loses the Swans - like all TV folk they want a close game - ask Channel Nine they demand it and get it for RL games according to Roy Masters.
mcmanpp
Roar Rookie
As Wayne Carey said, the little things matter. The kick-in at the 15minute mark by Essendon: one of the Essendon defenders was there in support to block Papley's press on the kick-in. But there was no supporting defender at that last kick-in and Papley was free to smother the kick-in. The result - a goal scored, the match lost.
Bloodsman
Guest
True - need to be better than last night. Learn to kick straight for a start. Bloods are a good team though and if injuries don't hamper their progress watch out - especially if Tippet comes back into some form. I can see Papley the Plumber kicking a few crucial goals in the finals this year.
Swannies
Guest
They will be in the eight next month!
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Had to laugh at the 7 Commentators who always seem delighted when a team is leading/beating the Swans- Old Brucey and co were loving it then had to eat Humble pie when the Swans came back to win.
me too
Roar Rookie
Good game and great finish. Unbelievable error by the most experienced player on the field. Not the kick to himself -as that used up time and allowed a deeper kick - but he delayed it too long and whoops, the Swans are alive. In this season, with no one standing up, the Swans would believe thay can go all the way from here. Not much margin for error though - need to be better than they were last night.
Rissole
Guest
Proud of the effort by Essendon. Going down to Sydney by 1 point at the SCG shows that the team is heading in the right direction, particularly one that travels as poorly as the Bombers. Disappointing to lose after getting into a winning position but to even get into that position was a great effort after being four goals down in the third quarter against a Swans side that dominated the first two and a half quarters and should have led by much more. Essendon are just a clearance beast of a player short of being a pretty good team. It felt more like a loss that will galvanize the side rather than destory their confidence. I think Green might miss the match against his old side after numerous soft efforts in this game.
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Poor kicking almost cost the Swans - but the Essendon Defender having his kick smothered with 14 or so seconds to go was a rather school boyish mistake - All he had to do was kick the ball long towards the sideline making it hard for the Swans to counter with 10 or so seconds to go if they did manage a mark - Essendon didn't flood either as you could see the Swans mounting a challenge- 19 points up with 4 or so minutes to go a team should not lose from there - oh I know Richmond do though- They are very good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory one has to say.
Desiree
Guest
They are not in the eight yet - wait till Sunday. Another last stage comeback in Sydney in 24 hours except this time the Bombers got the free kicks 4-1 in the last 7 minutes whilst Queensland got the penalties 4-0 in the second half for their comeback. One is fair dinkum , the other is World Wrestling Entertainment
Swannies
Guest
Back in April I predicted Swans would rally and be in the eight come July and was ridiculed. Well...guess what!
Roger of Sydney
Guest
What a game, the Swans if kicked straight they should have pulled away but both teams did some poor turnovers. What was good to see was the grade 2 pushie and shovie before the bounce was minimal. Of the teams the Swans have played this year I would say Essendon are the best, two evenly matched teams. I would pitch either of these teams against the top three and would be surprised if they didn't win. For god sake get the goal review system working none of those calls looked right. A great game by two definite non pretenders.