In an exhilarating finish, the Sydney Swans have defeated Essendon on the last kick of the game. Similar to last week, the opposing side look to have had the game in hand, yet the Swans had the will, desire and method to find a way to win in one of the greatest comebacks seen at the Sydney Cricket Ground. For a brief moment the win meant Sydney were back in the final eight, yet dropped out after weekend results. Importantly, it keeps the Swans in touch with the top eight and are now just 4 points outside. For Essendon it was a bitter loss to take. With minutes remaining and a lead that required three goals to be kicked, it looked like the Bombers would post their first win against the Swans since August of 2011. Ironically that victory result was by a point. However it was not to be as seconds from the siren, Gary Rohan marked the ball in the goal square from a desperate Dane Rampe kick. Rohan casually walked back, let the siren ring and kicked the easiest of goals to clutch an incredible victory for the Sydney Swans. The roar of the crowd at the SCG was incredible as they witnessed an amazing finish.
Did I just do that? Gary Rohan with thrilled teammates head to the Swans sheds. Photo: Jodie Newell
The game itself was an entertaining contest. Essendon played a much improved game and challenged Sydney to play to their absolute best to beat them. Led by Zach Merrett, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis in the midfield, the Bombers were getting plenty of the football and whilst not leading on the scoreboard, they kept in touch with the Swans. The earlier effort they showed would count a great deal later, as Essendon booted 5 goals in the final quarter to take what seemed to be a match winning lead.
Lewis Melican gets the ball under the watchful eye of Essendon’s David Zaharakis (right). Photo: Jodie Newell
In the ruck department where for the past couple of weeks, Sydney has dominated, Essendon matched both Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith. Whilst Sydney won the hit out contest 34-27, Tom Bellchambers was extremely competitive winning 27 hit outs against quality opposition and he provided plenty of ball to his roving midfielders.
The rucking duels were a pretty even contest. Bellchambers matched it with Naismith & Sinclair. Photo : Jodie Newell
Zach Merrett was outstanding in the middle for Essendon. He picked up 33 disposals, with 6 tackles. 14 of those possessions were contested and he provided 8 clearances. For Sydney Josh Kennedy was just as impressive. The skipper hardly puts in a bad game and his efforts on Friday were typically workman-like. Kennedy had 36 disposals, with 16 contested possessions and 7 clearances. It’s obvious Kennedy is relishing the captain’s role by setting an impeccable example on the field via his ball getting efforts.
Sydney skipper Josh Kennedy superb = 36 possessions. Photo: Jodie Newell
Sydney looked to have the game in control, despite the pestering Bombers. The Swans led at every change and it was looking like another win. Essendon posted two quick goals at the end of the third quarter via Shaun McKernan and Conor McKenna, yet Sydney had a handy 12 point buffer and looked to have the game in control. That was about to change when Essendon kept up their running and pushed hard at their forward line. Goals to McKernan, Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Travis Colyer and Hurley saw the Bombers take the lead with 6 unanswered goals from the third quarter till now and Sydney looked gone for all money.
Bomber Blitz. A good example of the pressure Essendon applied to Sydney in the contest. Photo: Jodie Newell
The last minutes of the game were simply incredible. With Essendon holding a 13 point lead that required three Sydney goals, a win looked highly improbable. Swans fans could be seen heading towards the turnstiles in what would later prove to be a regrettable decision. Oliver Florent began Sydney’s comeback with a goal. Lance Franklin had been inaccurate all night with 5 behinds till then, kicked another point. With only 80 seconds remaining, Nic Newman goaled and the Swans were now only 6 points adrift of Essendon. The crowd mood switched immediately sensing the impossible. A centre clearance was vital, yet the Bombers got the ball away. Heath Grundy repelled Essendon’s move forward. The Swans booted the ball into the forward zone, yet Joe Daniher took what seemed to be a match saving mark and his side would eat up the remaining 50 seconds on the clock. Yet again Sydney were able to re-gain possession and thrust the ball back into their forward zone. Lance Franklin took a mark at the top of the 50 metre zone. He played on and snapped at goal only to score what would be his 6th behind for the game and with it surely, Sydney’s chances. With the ensuing kick-out, Essendon’s Brendan Goddard played on and rushed forward only to see his kick smothered by a desperate Tom Papley. The ball was importantly kept near the Swans goal area. With 24 seconds remaining, Dane Rampe took the ball from the packed throw in area and with a deft left foot kick lobbed the ball forward to where Gary Rohan took an amazing one handed mark right in front of the goals. With a delirious crowd, in the background, the siren could barely be heard, as Rohan casually and coolly kicked the winning goal and Sydney won the match by a solitary point. The Essendon players looked on in absolute disbelief as the Sydney players were in rapture as they jumped around the top of the goal square hugging each other wildly and fist pumped the air.
The Swans club song roared inside the sheds. Pic: Jodie Newell
A relieved Swans coach in John Longmire explains how. Photo: Jodie Newell
Obviously disappointed but Bombers coach John Worsfold believes better days are ahead. Pic: Jodie Newell
The win sees Sydney (6-7) currently placed at 10th spot, a game outside the top eight. Essendon (6-7) are 11th and are also a game outside the top eight. Sydney fly down to Melbourne to face the 5th placed and in hot form Demons (8-5) in an absolute blockbuster at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday night. Essendon play the bottom of the standings Brisbane Lions (2-11) at home next Sunday afternoon at the Docklands (Etihad Stadium).
SYDNEY 2.5 5.11 8.17 11.20 (86)
ESSENDON 2.4 4.9 7.11 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Sydney: Heeney 2, Newman 2, Parker, Papley, Reid, Hannebery, Hayward, Florent, Rohan
Essendon: Stewart 2, McKernan 2, Daniher, Zaharakis, Bellchambers, McKenna, Fantasia, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Colyer, Hurley
BEST
Sydney: Kennedy, Heeney, Rampe
Essendon: Merrett, Hurley, Bellchambers
INJURIES
Sydney: –
Essendon: –
Reports: –
Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Craig Fleer, Jacob Mollison
Verdict: Back to three umps and Messrs Schmitt (no pun intended), Fleer and Mollison did a good job handing out only 36 free kicks and it was 18 frees for Essendon and Sydney.I guess the big adjudicating issue that remains is the goal review system. Currently the AFL relies on the telecast cameras positioned around the ground and next to the posts. It really needs improving. Surely the boffins at Go Pro could provide a solution as their cameras capture a really wide angle and when zoomed the picture quality doesn’t deteriorate too much. In a pro-sport environment such as the AFL, there will come a time when this becomes a very controversial and hot topic, especially in a finals situation. It needs to be fixed ASAP Umpire Rating: 8 /10
Official crowd: 34,575 at the Sydney Cricket Ground
