QF 1: Sydney Swans v GWS Match Thread

[imuninformedtwo]

What about that!

Some of those moments in the last quarter - starting with Blakey’s spoil on Daniels and finishing with his two on one win on the wing in the lead up to the Amartey goal.

Our defence had moments tonight, particularly Mills. But after being beaten most of the night McCartin sorted it out and barely lost a contest in the last quarter vs Hogan, and Rampe was generally good on Green. But if anyone on here ever again says Harry shouldn’t get a start, leave the board immediately. He obliterated Daniels. He was just outstanding.

Heeney is a god, Chad’s last quarter was out of this world and for a bloke who usually takes a few weeks to find form and touch after a break, Papley was massive. That contest he won for the Heeney goal was something special. Lloyd was excellent, just running all game and making serious ground, and Jordan did the job on Whitfield.

And that may well be the making of Campbell. He made a serious difference. He took the game on and made a real dent in it with his run and penetration but I also loved the tackle on Callaghan which led to a rushed, popped kick that Papley marked for his goal from 50.

We will need to play better, but most grand finalists tend to have a squeaker somewhere on the way through in finals. Hopefully it’ll give us confidence anything is possible.

[mcs]

Four words is all that is needed.

Isaac Heeney. Deadset legend!

Just got to Sutton Forest and reckon heart rate just about back to normal. Can not believe we pulled that out of the fire. Heeney took the lead, and Papley, Campbell and a few others went with him.

If we win the flag, I'd be astounded if Heeney isn't picking up the Norm Smith as well. He has a steely determination to make this his year!

And breathe!
?

[Thunder Shaker]

Let’s be real, we were beaten for most of the game. We need more strategies. We won’t always win from 5 goals down, especially against Geelong or Hawks.

Beaten, or well held for three quarters. The goals kept coming though so the game was not out of reach at any stage. When the game was there to be won, the margin was gettable. Good teams find a way to win.

One of the Swans' strengths this year is the goal-kicking potency of the midfield. Heeney 3, Hayward 2, Papley 2, Amartey, Campbell, Lloyd, McDonald, Rampe, Rowbottom. 13 goals from nine different players. The tall forwards got only two between them, but it didn't matter in the end.

[dejavoodoo44]

Four words is all that is needed.

Isaac Heeney. Deadset legend!

Just got to Sutton Forest and reckon heart rate just about back to normal. Can not believe we pulled that out of the fire. Heeney took the lead, and Papley, Campbell and a few others went with him.

If we win the flag, I'd be astounded if Heeney isn't picking up the Norm Smith as well. He has a steely determination to make this his year!

And breathe!
?

Well, Heeney will currently be leading the Gary Ayres medal.
And I'm wondering if this game we be looked back on, in much the same way as the Nick Davis game is regarded? That is, the sort of escape that got the club believing that destiny was on its side.

[stevoswan]

Let’s be real, we were beaten for most of the game. We need more strategies. We won’t always win from 5 goals down, especially against Geelong or Hawks.

I did wink.

I agree with the above.

[imuninformedtwo]

Just saw that Campbell’s grandpa died yesterday, which makes what he did even more meritorious.

[Hotpotato]

So Millsy had Gastro, Amartey rolled his ankle (Thurs),
Campbell lost his Grand Dad (Thurs), i’m still stunned
they got that done, Heeney tucks his head under after taking
that speccy to avoid a nasty injury, they just stared down defeat
like champions, it was an astonishing night and well done both teams.

[Thunder Shaker]

So Millsy had Gastro, Amartey rolled his ankle (Thurs),
Campbell lost his Grand Dad (Thurs), i’m still stunned
they got that done

That only makes the win all the more impressive. Condolences to Campbell, get well soon Millsy and I hope Amartey's ankle isn't too bad. A week's rest will do the niggles a lot of good.

Heeney tucks his head under after taking that speccy to avoid a nasty injury

A close look at the footage shows that Buckley (GWS #44) gave Heeney a hand on the way down, allowing Heeney to hold his hand to control his fall to the ground. Buckley probably didn't do so intentionally (too fast for thinking time), but it is still good to see some care for an opponent during play.

they just stared down defeat like champions, it was an astonishing night and well done both teams.

Good teams find a way.

[MattW]

That only makes the win all the more impressive. Condolences to Campbell, get well soon Millsy and I hope Amartey's ankle isn't too bad. A week's rest will do the niggles a lot of good.


A close look at the footage shows that Buckley (GWS #44) gave Heeney a hand on the way down, allowing Heeney to hold his hand to control his fall to the ground. Buckley probably didn't do so intentionally (too fast for thinking time), but it is still good to see some care for an opponent during play.


Good teams find a way.

I actually think Buckley did that intentionally. An instinctive act. Shows excellent character. Heeney credited him when speaking to Fox after the game.

[MattW]

That rivals the Collingwood prelim for the best game I've seen live. May even top it given the comeback. The roar on the Heeney and Amartey goals was insane.

Just watched the game on my phone while catching the bus back. What a sensational effort that last quarter was from all of the players. Warner was awesome. Campbell turned the game. We don't win without Papley. Some great efforts from Blakey and Jordon. Heeney is a superstar; a top 2 player in the AFL.

[Sandridge]

I actually think Buckley did that intentionally. An instinctive act. Shows excellent character. Heeney credited him when speaking to Fox after the game.

I also felt that Buckley deliberately grabbed Isaac's hand to ensure that he "did a roll" instead of landing on his head. Great effort by Buckley - might have saved our champ from copping a very serious injury!

[mcs]

So Millsy had Gastro, Amartey rolled his ankle (Thurs),
Campbell lost his Grand Dad (Thurs), i’m still stunned
they got that done, Heeney tucks his head under after taking
that speccy to avoid a nasty injury, they just stared down defeat
like champions, it was an astonishing night and well done both teams.

For the questions we throw at horse at times (well many of us), there is no doubt that they man is an absolute gentleman, and the players have nothing but the utmost respect from him. This little video says all that needs to be said about Horse the man - https://x.com/sydneyswans/status/1832356941852766645


What an enormous effort from Campbell after a tough week - it could be the game that makes his career tonight (funny given it was just a quarter and a half or whatever it was). Belief is all he needs, and his grandad is surely smiling tonight!

Well, Heeney will currently be leading the Gary Ayres medal.
And I'm wondering if this game we be looked back on, in much the same way as the Nick Davis game is regarded? That is, the sort of escape that got the club believing that destiny was on its side.

With what has come out subsequently around Amartey being injured, the tough week for Campbell - it could be that win that as you say we look back and say that was when the belief clicked.

[MattW]

For the questions we throw at horse at times (well many of us), there is no doubt that they man is an absolute gentleman, and the players have nothing but the utmost respect from him. This little video says all that needs to be said about Horse the man - https://x.com/sydneyswans/status/1832356941852766645


What an enormous effort from Campbell after a tough week - it could be the game that makes his career tonight (funny as a quarter and a half or whatever it was). Belief is all he needs, and his grandad is surely smiling tonight!

That video was awesome.

[stevoswan]

A close look at the footage shows that Buckley (GWS #44) gave Heeney a hand on the way down, allowing Heeney to hold his hand to control his fall to the ground. Buckley probably didn't do so intentionally (too fast for thinking time), but it is still good to see some care for an opponent during play.

Whether intentional or not, I believe Buckley saved Heens from a possible nasty injury on landing. I thank him for that.

[mcs]

I actually think Buckley did that intentionally. An instinctive act. Shows excellent character. Heeney credited him when speaking to Fox after the game.

Yep clearly looked instinctive to me as well - great stuff from Buckley!