Swans fall short at SCG

The Sydney Swans have suffered their second loss of the season after a nail-biting 15.9 (99) to 14.13 (98) defeat to Fremantle at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Sydney Swans have suffered their second loss of the season after a nail-biting 15.9 (99) to 14.13 (98) defeat to Fremantle at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

Sydney showed plenty of fight to almost record a famous comeback victory - trailing by as much 32 points midway through the second quarter before Nick Blakey and Justin McInerney ignited a second-half resurgence. 

Blakey, who finished the game with a game-high 32 disposals, produced an incredible goal from the 50m arc - sending the SCG into a short burst of pandemonium before heartbreak just moments later.

The Swans were always likely to make one last surge. Oliver Florent had a shot on the run with little more than a minute remaining but hooked the left-footed snap from 40m out directly in front through for a behind.

A last-minute behind from Fremantle proved the difference as Logan McDonald's shot after the full-time siren was to no avail.

Will Hayward spent time on the bench due to a knee issue during the first half but was a key to the Swans’ fightback after the main change.

The livewire forward added a spark while booting three goals, while goals neaks Sam Wicks and Tom Papley added two each.

Hayden McLean helped keep the Swans in the contest early and remained a threat throughout as he booted two goals while also taking six contested marks against an undermanned Dockers defence.

The Swans trailed at the first change for the fifth time in their past six matches but this time ran out of lives as McDonald’s shot sailed wide.

The Swans still remain first on the competition ladder and will face St Kilda next Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

SYDNEY                      2.5       4.8       11.11    14.14 (98)
FREMANTLE                7.2       9.5       14.5      15.9 (99)

GOALS
Sydney: Hayward 3, McLean 2, Wicks 2, Papley 2, Campbell, Amartey, McInerney, Blakey, McDonald
Fremantle: Sturt 3, Amiss 3, Treacy 2, Jackson, Banfield, Switkowski, Serong, O’Meara, Darcy, Frederick

BEST
Sydney: Blakey, McLean, McInerney, Papley, Rowbottom, Wicks
Fremantle: Serong, Brayshaw, Fyfe, Johnson, Darcy, Sturt, Amiss

INJURIES
Sydney: Cunningham (hamstring)
Fremantle: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Caiden Cleary (replaced Harry Cunningham in the third quarter)
Fremantle: James Aish (replaced Hugh Davies in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 35,477 at the SCG