The Sydney Swans are through to their first preliminary final since 2016 after a stunning upset win over the reigning premiers Melbourne.
Despite a number of their younger players making their first finals appearance, the Swans handled the heat of the grand occasion with aplomb, running out 14. 7. (91) to 10. 9. (69) winners in front of 78,377 at the MCG.
The win was built off the back of manic pressure all over the ground, with the Swans laying 82 tackles to 68, including 25 in their own forward 50.
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Sydney’s win was it’s eighth straight, and second straight over the reigning premiers away from home, and left those watching in awe.
“Their performance tonight was as tough as you’re going to see,” former Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy’s coverage.
“The reigning premiers, they just got out-toughed tonight, don’t worry about that.”
“This is a game that was underpinned by their effort,” Saints champion Nick Riewoldt added. “They were ferocious in their effort.”
Swans forward Tom Papley was among his side’s best players, kicking two majors, and he praised the team’s culture after the win.
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“A couple of efforts there, that’s what the bloods are about, defend to the death,” he told Seven after the match.
“Our hardness around the ball won the game. We base our game on our pressure and today we brought it. Those academy kids, they go alright.”
Papley was one of four multiple goalkickers for Sydney, with Jake Lloyd, Sam Reid and Will Hayward also finishing with two majors each.
The win puts Sydney in the box seat to reach a grand final, with a home preliminary final at the SCG on deck in two weeks’ time. Melbourne will face the Brisbane Lions in a do-or-die semi-final at the MCG next weekend.
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