Sydney have pulled away late to beat Carlton by 22 points at the SCG on Sunday.
In what was a back and forth encounter until the last break, the Swans went up a gear in the final term to kick four goals to Carlton’s one to seal the game.
There was plenty of heat in the game, with multiple scuffles breaking out as both teams employed a tough, contested brand of footy.
Sydney’s A-graders proved the difference, with Isaac Heeney (22 disposals, three goals), Josh Kennedy (19 disposals, two goals), Callum Mills (25 disposals), Jake Lloyd (28 disposals) and Lance Franklin (three goals) proving pivotal.
Patrick Cripps (three goals, 27 disposals) and Sam Walsh (33 disposals) were valiant for the Blues, but ultimately it wasn’t enough in a game that was there to be won with the margin in their favour late in the third term.
Carlton will be left to rue decisions made at selection after going with Levi Casboult over defender Luke Parks who could’ve matched up on the influential Heeney.
Michael Gibbons (hamstring) was replaced by Marc Murphy while Sydney’s injury sub went unused.
The MRO is also likely to take a close look at an incident involving Lance Franklin and Nic Newman.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Sydney distance themselves from pack
After going 2-4 over the last six weeks, this game was one Sydney simply needed to win.
Today’s result takes the Swans to a record of 7-4 and solidifies their place firmly inside the top six.
Sydney are now a game ahead of the chasing pack in Richmond and West Coast (six wins) and two ahead of other finals hopefuls Essendon, Fremantle, GWS and St Kilda (five wins).
With the Saints and Hawks to come in the next fortnight, the Swans are every chance of sitting at 9-4 at the bye.
From there, it would be harder to miss finals than make it.
After just two years out of the eight, the Swans are again back on track to becoming a perennial finals feature.
Carlton’s insurmountable hurdle
Sunday’s loss takes the Blues to an 0-6 record against top eight teams this year.
While they’ve been in about every one of these games, the better sides are still continuously finding a way against Carlton.
It’s a year that had many hoping Carlton would take the next step, but ultimately, it looks like they’ll fall short of finals again.
All of their wins have come against non-top eight teams (Fremantle, Gold Coast, Essendon and Hawthorn), and they’ll face the seventh placed Eagles next week.
With a top eight finish almost out of their grasp, next week’s game is a big one for Carlton in so many ways.
What’s next?
Sydney go in favourites against a struggling St Kilda side at Marvel Stadium next Saturday, while Carlton host West Coast in a clash with big ramifications at the MCG on Sunday.
FULL SCORE
Sydney: 5.3, 8.4, 11.6, 15.10. (100)
Carlton: 4.3, 8.5, 10.9, 11.12. (78)
GOALS
Sydney: Heeney 3, Franklin 3, Papley 3, Hayward 2, Kennedy 2, Wicks, Parker
Carlton: McKay 3, Cripps 3, Betts 2, De Koning, Silvagni, Williams
BEST
Sydney: Heeney, Kennedy, Cunningham, Mills, Lloyd, Franklin, Papley, Parker
Sydney: Cripps, Walsh, Docherty, Newman, McKay
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