Swans' slim finals hopes still alive but injuries strike again in Freo win

News.com.au

06-07-2025

The Sydney Swans are still alive in season 2025 after a thrilling 11-point win over Fremantle on Sunday.
But their 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win has come at a cost with Joel Amartey (groin) limping off in the dying stages and Tom Papley (hamstring) subbed out at half time.
It's another painful close loss for the Dockers, who missed the finals last year after several narrow defeats.
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Sydney led from start to finish, as Freo's tough record against the Swans rolls on with a sixth loss in their last eight games.
The Swans were out by 20 points in the third term before the Dockers found their fight through big man Luke Jackson (13 disposals, two goals) who kicked truly after the three quarter time siren.
Docker Jye Amiss had multiple chances to close the gap in the final term but blew them.
When Michael Frederick put his running shot out on the full in the dying stages, Sydney were able to hang on for the win.
Fremantle's top eight hopes now hang in the balance, but for Sydney they stay alive in season 2025, although coach Dean Cox is sweating on his latest injuries.
'We need to work out the extent of that (Papley's injury) and the same with Amartey late in the game,' he said.
'We'll see throughout the next couple of days how that settles, get some scans and the results will come from that.'
Their 11-point win at the SCG was set up on the back of a first half midfield 'bashing'.
At half time, the Swans nailed five goals to none from centre clearance in worrying signs for Freo coach Justin Longmuir.
'They've been so dominant – plus-13 for clearance but in particular their centre bounce work, five goals from centre bounce,' Fox Footy's Alastair Lynch said.
'It is the mechanics of the four that are in there,' Dermott Brereton added.
'When (Brodie) Grundy is in there predominantly, they are having the first look, the first touch, the first clearance, first possession. It's predominantly going Sydney's way.
'That's the difference in the game as it stands.'
Brodie Grundy was given the massive task of taking on Freo's tag team of Sean Darcy and Jackson.
But Sydney's 'shining light' delivered in another outstanding performance.
'He's like a man possessed,' Fox Footy's Dwayne Russell said. 'He's a different man Brodie Grundy this last month and a bit.
'He did finish fourth in the best and fairest last year.'
Statistics showed Grundy has leapt into the #11 ranked player in the AFL – up from the #95 he was ranked for the first six rounds.
By full time, Grundy racked up 20 disposals, 33 hit-outs and a goal in a stellar performance.
The Swans have shown vast improvement since the likes of Errol Gulden returned, but Cox will be hoping for some good news on the injury front ahead of next week's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium.