Friday Fallout: Swans dam wall bursts as Freo step closer to immortality

Sydney had ridden a wave that had seen them put 53 points on Brisbane and 21 points on Fremantle over the course of seven incredibly gutsy quarters, but all it took was one to ultimately put an end to their inspired run.

For the bulk of this game, it seemed implausible to imagine anything other than a Sydney win and one of the stories of the season going into Grand Final week. I would hasten to say some of the players even may have started to daydream about a ride around Yarra Park in the back of a ute.

But after throwing everything they had at the minor premiers for 90 minutes, it was time for Justin Longmuir’s men to take their moment and quash the red and the white’s chances.

If we take it back to the end of the third term, Hayden Young’s delightful goal from a tight angle 50 metres out clearly set the tone for what was to come.

Five goals for Freo and just one (unlucky Tom Papley) behind later and the Dockers had sewn up a masterful comeback with brutal precision.

Hitting the lead halfway through the final term, it was now impossible to see the Swans mustering anything they had left to return to the lead.

An injured Papley gave them as good of a chance as any to level the score late but the goal post got in the way.

Lewis Melican’s dropped uncontested mark was emblematic of Sydney’s collapse in confidence and energy in the last term, as even Tom McCartin looked out of sorts in a game he had dominated on Josh Treacy for most of.

The question now for Fremantle is how they can put together a proper four-quarter performance in a final against either Brisbane or Hawthorn next Saturday.

If they can culminate their season and click on the day, then they will prove hard to stop on their quest for an inaugural premiership cup.

Luke Jackson was an interesting watch as he appeared more fired up than ever and even clapped in the face of Brodie Grundy after a touchy free kick. But to end the game with two goals and 15 touches as a ruckman is no mean feat.

Errol Gulden tried his heart out all game and ended his run as the best player in the comp since his return of injury with 36 disposals and eight tackles. He couldn’t have done much more.

For Sydney, it is time to put footy to the side for a bit and refresh for what will be a turbulent off-season for the club – for the Dockers, it’s time to take their greatest ever chance at claiming immortality.

Ethan Clark