Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Brisbane desperately needed a goal and Levi Ashcroft has delivered it just as the first quarter siren sounds.
The Swans can be disappointed to not be further in front, but so far this is a really impressive Swans performance.
The key question is can they sustain it without the leader and defensive organiser Callum Mills? The obvious answer is no. But then who gave the Swans a chance of starting so well? Very few.
The Swans have 20 inside 50s compared to Brisbane’s 11.
There is a storm coming which will slow up the running game here at the SCG.
Swans 42 Brisbane 16
After such an incredible start, captain Callum Mills is down and has to be helped off the field in huge discomfort.
It looks like a knee injury and it’s a huge loss for the Swans, their leader will not come back onto the field.
The man who has played such a key role in leading this club through a crisis is gone. This could be a turning point for the Swans, or it could galvanise them even further.
Expect Mills to be in the huddle at quarter time telling his team exactly what he expects and that’s more of this effort.
Brisbane have also lost Noah Answerth who has left the field limping with a lower leg injury.
Swans 42 Brisbane 9
The Swans are absolutely up and about here. Matt Roberts kicks the Swans fourth goal of the day. It’s a seriously strong start from the Swans who are more efficient in possession and they are winning contested possessions.
So far, so good. The Swans young guns are playing totally without fear. It’s a free hit and they know it.
Logan McDonald, so badly missed last year through injury, kicks his second goal. This is a serious start.
Then to make matters worse for Brisbane, Jaspa Fletcher gets pinged for a deliberate and Papley kicks his second major straight in front.
Swans 39 Lions 8
The Swans are doing very well here and Charlie Curnow snaps the Swans’ final goal after Angus Sheldrick delivers it perfectly to the star full forward.
That’s Curnow’s 70th goal of the year, what a season he is having in Sydney.
But Brisbane fire back with their first major of the day through Eric Hipwood.
Then who else to get the SCG crowd fired up but Tom Papley. Papley peels off with his trademark celebration and the Swans faithful love it.
Sydney 21 Brisbane 8
The Swans are getting opportunities here in front of goal, but they will need to be far more ruthless if they are to stand any opportunity of winning this.
The Swans pressure is strong and their transition is looking good. The Swans have a point to prove and very early in the first quarter are playing like it.
There is an inevitably that Brisbane will start to fire back. It’s coming.
Swans 9 Brisbane 1
The crowd remains very poor for a home qualifying final, although thankfully the SCG has filled a lot more in the last 10 minutes. The Swans would have hoped for far better than this.
Is it the weather? Is it the huge odds to win against Brisbane? Nobody knows.
The Swans have absolutely nothing to lose here and can play without any fear. Brisbane know they should not only win this game, but win it well.
The Swans start with two behinds.
And we have a goal through Logan McDonald. James Rowbottom with a lovely kick to the Perth native. McDonald has woken this crowd up.
Swans 8 Brisbane 0
There’s a story behind the ‘Syyyyyd-neeeyyyy’ chant you’re hearing ring across the SCG. That’s the result of a direct effort led by the independent Swans fan podcast True Bloods to try and get people to show their support to the players after the events of the last few years. Unfortunately, loud music over the speakers in the final seconds before what we would once describe as the first bounce drowned out what they were trying to achieve. Oh well.
If there was one team that the Swans did not want to face on a hot day in Sydney, it would probably be Brisbane.
The Swans’ 44-point round one win over the Lions at the SCG feels like another world. Sydney used a fast-flowing handball game through the corridor. By round 16 at the Gabba, the Lions shut down the corridor and won 104-60.
The Swans have circled the wagon this week, the open training sessions that normally happen during a finals week have gone. The Swans have kept a tight perimeter and will utilise the SCG crowd to get behind them. Don’t forget the Swans have also only lost once this season at the SCG against Adelaide.
Brisbane’s quality differential is significant, with three All-Australian selections Harris Andrews, Logan Morris and Zac Bailey all playing at the SCG. Will Ashcroft could also have a game to remember against a considerably weakened Swans midfield.
The Swans will have tightened considerably in defence, they have no choice. James Rowbottom is nursing a hand injury, with a heavy bandage and strapping. Expect high pressure for the Swans for the opening two quarters at least.
