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Swans capitalise on shock rule breach, Dogs down Crows: Here's everything you need to know

2023-05-20T17:05+10:00

The Swans have broken a four-game losing streak in the most controversial of fashions, breaking North Melbourne hearts along the way.

The game looked to be in the Roos’ keeping with just minutes to go, having kicked into gear to start the final term and mount a comeback that was set to pay off and cap off a tumultuous week in honouring Alastair Clarkson.

Clarkson stepped away from Arden Street just two days before the Roos’ Round 10 clash against Sydney, handing the reigns to Brett Ratten as he sought to lessen the weight on his shoulders from the AFL investigation.

Ratten’s side was nine points down heading into the final term. But whatever the stand-in coach said at three quarter time sparked plenty of action, with North Melbourne reeling off the first four goals of the final term in just nine minutes before hanging on for the third win of their season.

But the Swans kicked the last two, including the final goal after being awarded a free kick and 50-metre penalty with 59 seconds remaining for an interchange infringement.

It’s understood the Roos made 76 substitutions, one more than allowed. Details are still coming to light, but North's mistake was Hayden McLean's delight, who put Sydney back in front from point blank range.

Meanwhile, further north in Victoria, the Western Bulldogs got the job done to extend their winning streak to five on the trot.

In a 45-point win for the Dogs where the sting went out of the clash a long way from the final siren, Luke Beveridge’s troops were too strong early and never relented the lead after securing it midway through the first term.

Bailey Smith starred once again when afforded another opportunity to play inside midfield, enjoying 37 touches and six tackles.

Rory Laird will be the only Crow to hold his head high walking off Mars Stadium, finishing with 35 touches and 11 clearances.

The Adelaide was smacked in contested possessions and lost the tackle count despite the Bulldogs finishing with some 101 more disposals.

It’s the Crows’ first major blemish since Round 2 against Richmond, and Matthew Nicks has some work to do to prove his side is still a finals-bound one in next week’s game against Brisbane.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Buddy equals the great Doug Wade

On what will be another miserable day for the Sydney Swans, Lance Franklin brought a bit of joy.

The 36-year-old great had gone goalless in his last two outings but returned to some sort of form with three goals lined up on Ben McKay.

The third of those moves Franklin into equal fourth of the all-time goal kickers list with 1057 alongside Doug Wade.

A big tackle from the Swans forward with the game still on the line shows he remains as committed as ever.

Swans keep their season alive

Liam Pickering was all ready to write the Swans out of the finals mix in the final term.

With North looking to have the match in their keeping, it would have been Sydney’s fifth loss in a row and all but ended their season after playing off in last year’s pinnacle.

But with some desperation and a pinch of good fortune, it’s amazing how quickly a mindset can change.

Sydney has won four games and could be tied with fellow top eight contenders Carlton, Essendon, Gold Coast and Fremantle if results go as expected this weekend.

It was an ugly win, but there’s no doubt it needed to be. But in bad news for the Swans, Peter Ladhams was subbed off with a serious ankle injury and he could become the eighth best 22 player at John Longmire’s disposal not available next week in a growing injury list.

Sheezel pulls ahead in Rising Star conversation

Harry Sheezel didn’t get the chocolates, but he’s closer to winning the Rising Star award after Round 10.

The no.3 pick from last year’s draft has played a lot of his footy down back in 2023 but was moved forward in Round 10 to great effect, booting two goals and enjoying 25 disposals to once again be among his side’s best.

Sheezel teamed up with George Wardlaw for the first time in the pick 4’s debut appearance and showed enough to North fans to suggest this is a duo they can get excited about for the future.

Wardlaw finished with 16 touches and six clearances from 63 per cent game time.

Rankine’s fate in the hands of the MRO

If the Crows are to upset Brisbane next week, Izak Rankine will have a huge part to play.

However, the recruit will likely be cited for a bump on Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea. Michael Christian has a decision to make on whether or not it was a football action considering Rankine was contesting the footy, however it could be graded careless conduct and high contact, meaning either low or medium impact will be the determining factor on if he misses next week.

Duryea quickly got to his feet to take a free kick and wasn’t taken from the ground.

Major hammy injury for Johannisen

Jason Johannissn could barely walk when coming off the ground in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

He was subbed off and Lachlan McNeil injected into the game. Johannisen has only missed one game this year and is playing his best footy in several years in 2023.

Judging by the way he came off, it could be several weeks on the sidelines for the 30-year-old, a big blow for Beveridge and his side.

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