Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants: AFL live scores, blog, highlights

Match report The Sydney Swans have won the NSW derby after a hard fought slog at the SCG. In greasy conditions that made good footy difficult, the Swans were in control for most of the night, with the Giants scoring only in occasional flurries. From the outset Sydney's defensive pressure and contested strength was at the fore, as they locked the ball in their forwardline for much of the opening quarter. While they couldn't quite make their dominance tell on the scoreboard, they did eke out a five point lead. The Giants clearly wanted to open the game up in the second quarter, and with a bit of extra pace and fluency started the term brightly and looked like they might get the game on their terms. But they still had great difficulty clearing the ball out of defence, as Jonathon Patton demonstrated with a bad error near his own behind post, panicking and handballing across the goalface where Papley was able to soccer through a major. That sparked a run of four straight goals for the home team. At the same time, an injury to Lobb that forced him out of the ruck gave the Swans an advantage in that position. A late rally by the Giants closed the halftime margin to six points, and when they kicked the opening goal of the third quarter it appeared they were well in the game. But once again the Swans took a stranglehold. Their defence continued to hold firm, forcing GWS to kick long and aimlessly. The Giants in contrast were nowhere near as well organised or resilient, and cracks began to open up that Sydney duly exploited. While they were having trouble finding superstar Buddy Franklin, other players were finding enough space forward to make up the difference, with the Swans running up a four goal lead going into the last change. GWS' listlessness continued into the last term, as further goals to Parker and Kennedy extended the home team's margin to a seemingly unassailable 33 points. And then, almost out of nowhere, the Giants sparked into life. A long bomb from Himmelberg was followed by a spectacular effort by Lloyd to bring the margin back within four kicks with plenty of time left. Scoring wasn't easy, but further goals to Hopper and Patton closed the margin to ten points, but it was at this moment that Franklin emerged from his slumber. An extraordinary roost from 60 metres out, having imperiously fended off a GWS defender, was followed by a more typical mark and goal to truly ice the contest. Individually, Josh Kennedy was mighty in the slippery conditions, while Heeney and Mills were also good. Will Hayward in the forwardline was a consistent threat, while Sinclair dined out after the injury to Lobb. For the Giants, Coniglio and Ward were very good. While it was Buddy brilliance that ended the match, it was a victory for Sydney's typical discipline and doggedness. GWS, in many respects now one of the most experienced teams in the league, seemed to wilt in confidence like youngsters when they were unable to score easily against a determined backline. Tonight's performance doesn't say much for Leon Cameron's team's ability to deal with adversity. That said, the conditions tonight should raise some eyebrows. As far as I'm aware it was perfectly dry in Sydney today and throughout the week. There'd be some humidity around but I wouldn't have thought enough to create the slippery slide that was tonight's surface. I assume the ground was watered before play. I'd suggest maybe too much was added, and this really detracted from the quality of the game. But that's incidental in the scheme of things. Both sides are now 2-1 and still real premiership chances, but the Swans certainly have an edge over their cross town rivals at the moment and would feel more confident about the season ahead at this point.

That's full time Sydney 16.7.103 GWS 12.15.87

GOAL GWS Cameron kicks a consolation goal as the seconds run out.

GOAL SYDNEY Franklin puts the full stop on this game with a goal from 50m out. Sydney 103 GWS 81 Certainly a deserved win for the Swans.

GOAL SYDNEY Franklin with an extraordinary goal! He gathered cleanly inside the centre square, fended off Nick Haynes and then lashed a kick from 60m out that bounces through for a goal. Sydney 96 GWS 80 The Giants appeared to be coming, but Franklin has changed the look of this game with a goal out of nothing. Tough now with five minutes left for GWS.

GOAL GWS Oh, a 50m penalty against the Swans! Patton had marked in a fairly unthreatening position outside 50, and Kennedy ambled into the protected area. A very harsh penalty indeed given how many of those are let go. Patton kicks straight from 25m out to bring this game back within two kicks. Sydney 90 GWS 80 In the context of the game that is a very difficult outcome to stomach. So many are let go.

A great defensive spoil by Franklin to force a neutral when Davis looked a monty to take the mark and drive GWS forward once more.

7 minutes to play, and the Giants need 3 goals.

GOAL GWS A kick to the top of the square. Reid reaches up to spoil toward the boundary line, but instead knocks it straight to Hopper, who cooly snaps through a goal. Two bad errors from Reid at either end in the last few minutes, keeping this game alive. Sydney 90 GWS 74

Sam Reid misses a sitter! He was on his own in the forwardline after a smart kick by Franklin put him in space. Reid tried to square but ended up missing to the left. He wouldn't have been more than 15 out when he kicked.

Still 10 minutes to play with the Giants needing four goals. They need everything to go right in a way that hasn't looked like happening.

GOAL GWS Wow, a superb goal on an angle by Lloyd to bring GWS back within striking distance. He received the handball hard up against the line. He spotted the space on the goalline and so kicked it through on the bounce. Sydney 89 GWS 69 Very good presence of mind.

GOAL GWS Himmelberg breaks the run of Sydney goals with a long bomb from outside 50. Sydney 89 GWS 62 The margin is within five goals with 14 minutes to play, but it's hard to imagine GWS briding that gap from there.

They gave up trying to pick a path through the Sydney backline really early. In part it's the quality of Sydney's defending but it's hard to believe GWS have no plan other than just kicking it long when things go against them.

GOAL SYDNEY Well, that'll definitely seal it. Again Sydney push it forward. A throw in deep forward pocket, and after several players attempt to gather it Kennedy finally manages it and he dribbles through the goal. Sydney 89 GWS 56

GOAL SYDNEY Once again the Giants simply cannot clear from the backline. Cameron coughs it up, Parker roves and from 30m probably puts this game out of GWS' reach. Sydney 83 GWS 56 15 minutes to play in this pretty average game of footy.