Super Swans keep slim finals hopes alive; one shining light for Freo ...

Sydney remain alive in the thrilling 2023 finals race after a 29-point win over Fremantle on Saturday night.

The Swans simply needed to bank the four points to remain a mathematical chance of making the top eight.

And thanks to a six-goal first quarter blitz, the Swans got home 16.9 (105) to 12.4 (76) at Optus Stadium.

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Swans Luke Parker (31 disposals) and Lance Franklin (three goals) wound back the clock with big performances to help lift Sydney over the line.

The Flagmantle dream is officially over after another horror first term cost them any shot at victory.

Fremantle have managed to win just two first quarters for the entire season - and just couldn’t bridge the gap from there.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT

There were no late changes for either side, with Ethan Stanley (Fremantle) and Ryan Clarke (Sydney) named starting subs.

And it was Fremantle in just 67 seconds who got on the board first as Josh Treacy converted from his early grab.

But when Luke Jackson spilled a mark at half-forward, the Swans pounced and Isaac Heeney took full advantage of the unguarded goal square.

Both sides laid big tackles in the slippery conditions at Optus Stadium as a scoring stalemate ensured.

When Michael Walters went in hard and made high contact with Swan Tom McCartin, the visitors took advantage to kick their second goal.

“This is what Sydney do they pressure you when you’ve got the ball,” commentator Dermott Brereton said.

“They are just inhospitable.

“I just hope that Fremantle are still brave enough to take it on.”

When Luke Ryan was caught cold in his back half, Will Hayward kicked his second goal for the quarter as the Swans opened up an 18-7 lead.

The Dockers had some “real concerns” when first Logan McDonald and then Callum Mills - albeit by a fingernail - goaled.

When Tom Papley snapped truly after a horror Dockers’ turnover, Fremantle were in serious early strife.

Only a late goal to Sam Switkowski kept them in touch at quarter time, 38-13.

Errol Gulden got Sydney on the board first in the second term, but when Tom McCartin missed teammate Hayden McLean trying to switch play, they invited the Dockers back in.

Andy Brayshaw took full advantage of the “gift” goal to keep his side in touch 45-19.

Jye Amiss put his name forward for mark of the year with a big contested grab as he flew above three Swans before going back to slot the goal.

“It’s a real attribute and strength to his game,” commentator Leigh Montagna.

Lance Franklin continued his goal run at his happy hunting ground, but Michael Frederick had the response for Fremantle.

By half time, Sydney had the 65-31 lead.

It took less than 40 seconds for Fremantle to get on the board in the third after Luke Jackson was able to get forward and take the mark that had been missing in the opening half at half forward to get a better entry inside.

When Josh Treacy brought the ball to ground, Lachie Schultz pounced from the square.

Michael Walters snapped truly off one step after winning the ball at half forward and surging inside 50 to close his side to 22 points.

But just as Fremantle started to swing the momentum, the Swans had two quick goals to hit back on the scoreboard.

“That’s the best way to respond to the fast start by Fremantle,” Montagna said.

The two sides traded goals as the third term became a shootout.

By three quarter time, it was Sydney still holding the lead 85-56.

Freo let a couple of opportunities slip early in the fourth term before Lachie Schultz stepped up and put his head over the ball.

“Yeah he puts a bit of mayo on it, but it was head high,” Brereton said.

But just as Luke Jackson looked to streak inside 50, Brayshaw gave up a holding free kick and the Swans took full advantage through Logan McDonald.

Every time the Dockers tried to close the gap, Sydney had the reply in the final term.

And they did enough to hold Fremantle at arm’s length and take the four points on offer.

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3. SYDNEY STAY ALIVE IN TIGHT FINALS RACE

The equation was simple for Sydney in Perth – win and just stay alive in 2023.

Fremantle’s season was over with the loss to Collingwood last weekend, but the Swans remained a mathematical chance heading into Saturday night.

And despite coughing up a goal within the first 67 seconds, Sydney refused to be beaten and had a response for every Freo fightback.

“They’ve had all the answers, Sydney,” Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna praised.

“Every time Freo have tried to make a charge, Sydney have been able to respond.”

Statistics show Sydney have given up more three quarter time leads than any other side this season – but they refused to wilt against the Dockers.

The win means Sydney are just one win outside the top eight, and have a healthy percentage thanks to that Eagles belting earlier in the season.

Four of their next five games come against sides outside the top eight – meaning their whole season could come down to the final round clash with the Melbourne Demons.

“You never know...” Montagna said of Sydney’s finals race.

2. JYE FLIES HIGH TO DELIGHT HOME CROWD

Young Docker Jye Amiss is continuing to show why he’s considered one of the best young talents in the competition.

With his side trailing and in desperate need of a spark, Amiss flew high in a six-man pack to pull down a great contested mark.

“A huge leap from the young star,” commentator Adam Papalia praised.

AFL great Dermott Brereton was more impressed with the lead up work Amiss had to do to even get to the contest.

“You’ve got to have talent to mark that… but the hard work is done four steps before that,” he said.

“He has to clear past (Swans defender) Dane Rampe who is grappling and just trying to unsettle his run.

“Hard work gets him to the launch pad for that big grab.

“He gets around (Rampe), sidesteps, claws to the jump up area and gets the one, two, three launch – beautifully taken.”

Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna said he hoped to see more hangers from the young gun, given his talent as an underage player.

“This is one thing when they scouted his under 18 football – this is something he did very, very often, he was a really good pack mark,” he praised.

“We haven’t seen it at AFL level yet … I’ve been waiting for it.

“We’ve seen him more as a traditional lead-out forward.

“He does have this in his kit bag.

“This is something that as he continues to grow in confidence as an AFL key forward, he will take more of these as his career goes on.

“It’s a real attribute and strength to his game as a junior.”

1. WHAT’S FREO’S ANSWER IN THE MIDDLE?

Question marks have surrounded Fremantle’s forward line for a number of years, but against the Swans on Saturday night it was the midfield that appeared lacking.

The Dockers just couldn’t win enough ball to go forward as they were smashed in the middle – particularly in Sydney’s opening quarter blitz.

The Swans were able to pile on six-straight goals in a passage where they claimed 12 inside 50s to just two off the back of clearance dominance.

“The spread from Sydney is absolutely killing Fremantle,” commentator Will Schofield said.

With two-time Brownlow Medallist and former skipper Nat Fyfe out injured, and shifted to the forward line to fill that hole when he was fit to play, AFL great Dermott Brereton questioned who was left on the Fremantle list.

“Will Brodie, if you’re going to move forward, Will Brodie is not there,” he said of another injured Docker.

“What other midfielders can they add to this mix? They added Jaeger O’Meara this year in the off-season. Who else can they bring into this team to make it deeper?”

Schofield said there wasn’t a lot left on the shelf after the retirement of club great David Mundy at the end of last season.

“Will Brodie has been injured, he’s played a bit in the WAFL,” he said.

“Nat Fyfe, they persisted with him forward and didn’t get him back in this midfield.

“Will Brodie is the guy. He had a top 10 best and fairest year last year and he really hasn’t played much footy this year.”

Caleb Serong made a welcome return against the Swans on Saturday night after missing the loss to Collingwood through suspension.

And reigning AFL Players’ Association MVP Andy Brayshaw continued to put his body on the line, but outside of those two there wasn’t a lot coming from the engine room.

Some critics had named Hayden Young as the man to move to the middle, but the youngster himself said earlier this year he was focused on honing his halfback craft.

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