The Sydney Swans have defeated the Melbourne Demons by nine points at the MCG to keep their finals aspirations alive and place the Demons in real danger of missing September action.
The ‘Bloods’ have been doing something pretty well for the last 25 years and the last fortnight has seen them continue the tradition of finding a way to grind out wins when the chips are down and questions are raised about their form. It was Collingwood last week and Melbourne were the victims today.
Despite starting the match well, the Demons were always playing at a tempo dictated by the Swans and the red and whites managed to translate that into a close win, despite being down two players for three quarters of the game.
Alex Johnson went down tragically with another knee injury early on and Nick Smith couldn’t return after the quarter-time break. Melbourne, despite all their attacking potency were not able to take advantage and their kicking inaccuracy played a key role in the loss.
Eighteen behinds will not get the job done at any level of football and the Swans were far more efficient with the ball when they ventured inside fifty. Tom Papley stared for the Swans in the forward half and Aliir Aliir is starting to fulfil his enormous potential.
The Demons looked a level below another top eight team today, just as they have all season.
The Swans will now look to surge forward in the final rounds and push for a top-four position while the Demons will have a considerable battle to even qualify for September action.
Melbourne Demons 10.18.78
Sydney Swans 13.9.87
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The ball hit the boundary umpire's leg and rebounded back into play, leading to debate over whether a throw-in should have been called for.
