In a gripping encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, Port Adelaide overcame a spirited fightback from the Sydney Swans to secure an eight-point victory in their preliminary final rematch. The contest was a hotly-contested display of competition. The Swans came back late but couldn’t quite get over the line, as Port Adelaide took the win 13.7 (85) to 10.17 (77).
The victory not only demonstrated Port Adelaide’s resilience but highlighted the Swans’ determination as they continue to vie for a spot in the finals. The Swans quickly recovered from that defeat to bring their record back to 3-3. They aren’t out of it, but their top eight position is under threat.
Match Overview
Port Adelaide came out firing, quickly jumping to a lead that they’d hold for all but five minutes of the game. As time slipped away, the Sydney Swans mounted a fierce challenge. In doing so, they closed the deficit and increased the heat on their challengers. With a little over three minutes to go in the game, Port Adelaide had a 17-point lead. The Swans weren’t going to take no for an answer.
That late-game surge was defined by a number of key storylines, none bigger than Aaron Francis’ jaw-dropping, eye-popping Indiana-killing plays. Francis stamped his authority again with a great mark deep inside 50, just to add more icing on the cake. He ducked under the Port defense like a downhill skier. For the Swans’ sake, his kick went wide, a lost chance that might have turned the tide into their favor.
Despite the adversity, Francis booted three straight goals in the last quarter as part of a remarkable final period surge. His scintillating form brought the gap back to within 16 points, bringing belief back to Swans fans. The crowd were treated to one of the best finishes ever as the Swans sought a dramatic equaliser, earning an ovation for their never say die attitude.
Player Highlights
Alongside the suspenseful competition, some extraordinary performances emerged. Zak Butters was the most influential player on the field for Port Adelaide, running riot in the midfield with 27 disposals and seven clearances. He dominated the game with his touch and created chances for his teammates. That ability proved pivotal in keeping Port’s lead safe the entire night.
Ollie Wines struggled with a significant health scare that took a toll on his effectiveness. Subbed out at half-time because of a recurrent cardiac condition, Wines departed the field with an abnormal rhythm. The team found his absence incredibly difficult. Nevertheless, Port Adelaide found themselves and went on to win the game and the championship despite the early indignity.
It was a dominant performance from the Swans but they struggled to make their chances count. The team’s failure to finish chances turned into goals ultimately hurt their opportunities to win a game. Unfortunately, for the United players, they were told they would have to convert their chances better if they wanted to stay in contention in future games.
Implications for Future Matches
The outcome leaves both sides with key points to consider as they build towards midweek matches. For Port Adelaide, as stated even prior to last night’s match, the win solidifies the club’s strong footing and feeling headed into these upcoming rounds. One encouraging sign for their campaign is how well they’ve handled the pressure during some key moments.
The Sydney Swans need to think long and hard about their performance and how they can create more accurate scoring opportunities. As it currently stands, with their record at 3-3, they are arguably best positioned of any team still left in the race for a finals berth. You can be sure the players and coaches understand going in that they will have to make the most of every scoring chance. Doing so will most likely ensure that they get a coveted top eight seed.
