Round 21, Melbourne v Sydney Swans, MCG, Sunday, August 12, 3:20 pm
First quarter: Melbourne 2.6 (18) to Sydney Swans 1.1 (7)
It was a tense, tight start. Ten scores were posted, but just three goals were registered.
Swan Tom Papley kicked the first at the 17-minute mark, as Melbourne booted six behinds before opening its account in time-on.
Christian Petracca secured Melbourne’s first at the 26-minute mark and when Aaron vandenBerg followed up soon after, the red and blue led by 11 points at quarter-time.
Although Neville Jetta threw a scare through the camp, when he limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury, he was back on the field within 10 minutes.
But the news didn’t look good for Swan Alex Johnson, who appeared to suffer yet another knee injury. Johnson, who has had five knee reconstructions, was assisted from the field in time-on after falling awkwardly in defence. It was a terrible sight to see, given his remarkable ability to play his first AFL game this year – his first since the 2012 Grand Final.
Second quarter: Sydney Swans 7.2 (44) to Melbourne 3.12 (30)
Melbourne led by 18 points early in the second term, when Jesse Hogan kicked truly.
But the Swans soon upped the ante and dominated the quarter, booting the next six in a row.
The Demons failed to score another major before half-time, as they finished the term with 1.6 to 6.1.
It gave the Swans a 14-point advantage entering the long break.
Dom Tyson had 20 disposals by half-time, while Angus Brayshaw had 16 touches. For the Swans, Jake Lloyd had 15 possessions.
Third quarter: Sydney Swans 13.6 (84) to Melbourne 7.14 (56)
Although Melbourne booted four goals in the third, the Swans still had the upper hand with six majors to lead by 28 points entering the final change.
vandenBerg booted two for the term to have three by three quarter-time, while Tom McDonald and Cam Pedersen got on the board.
But Papley added a couple to have three to his name, while Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin kicked two.
Jetta laid a brilliant tackle on Franklin late in the term, with his effort forcing him to the bench, after he hit the deck heavily and had a blood nose.
But Melbourne needed a massive final term, if it was to produce a win to remember.
Final quarter: Sydney Swans 10.18 (78) d Melbourne 13.9 (87)
Melbourne did fight back in the final term, booting three goals to zip, but fell short of winning its 13th game of the season.
Jeff Garlett got the ball rolling when he kicked truly at the six-minute mark and when T.McDonald kicked his second at the 18-minute mark and Nathan Jones followed up soon after, the margin was just seven points.
After managing the opening eight scores of the final term, the Swans added the last two behinds to win by nine points.
Jayden Hunt suffered an ankle injury midway through the final term and finished on the bench.
Tyson finished with a team-high 31 disposals, while Clayton Oliver had 26 touches and Brayshaw had 25 possessions. Lloyd had 31 for the Swans.
