SYDNEY has done a Collingwood to hold on to win a famous preliminary final at the SCG.

The Swans are heading to a fourth Grand Final in just 12 years under John Longmire's watch after ending Collingwood's fairytale campaign by a single point in Saturday's preliminary final.

After leading by 36 points when Logan McDonald kicked the opening goal of the second half, Sydney supporters could almost pull the trigger on flights and hotels in Melbourne. 

But Collingwood never give up under Craig McRae. 

Nine times they won games by single digits in 2022. A 10th proved to be one too many, with Sydney prevailing 14.11 (95) to 14.10 (94) in a thrilling finish.

After finishing 2019 and 2020 in the bottom four, the Swans returned to September briefly last year, but are now heading to Melbourne next Saturday to face Geelong at the MCG.

08:02

Highlights: Sydney v Collingwood

The Swans and Magpies clash in the preliminary finals

Swans co-captain Luke Parker drilled the opening goal of the game inside the first two minutes, and from there, Sydney never relinquished the lead, kicking the first four goals of the game to open up an advantage 15 minutes into the contest that rarely looked like being undone until a thrilling final quarter. 

The game looked over early in the third quarter, but the Magpies just kept coming and coming. They kicked the last two goals of the third quarter then the first of the last quarter to give them a pulse. When Tom Papley kicked his third goal, Sydney finally looked home, but then Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Steele Sidebottom kicked goals in time-on to almost do the unthinkable.

Papley was in everything from the opening bounce until the final siren. Niggling, celebrating and finishing crucial shots to entertain and antagonise the 45,608 – the third biggest crowd at the SCG for an AFL game – in the house. 

With his future still undecided, Lance Franklin arrived at the SCG facing the prospect he might return to his car having played for the final time in his phenomenal career. If he was going out, he was going out in style. 

02:38

Gulden's golden moments help Swans survive late

Errol Gulden produces some typically brilliant kicks and tenacious tackles as Sydney holds on for an epic finals victory

All-Australian small defender Brayden Maynard started on him, instead of Darcy Moore or Jeremy Howe, and Franklin quickly showed there would be no repeat of his off night against Melbourne a fortnight ago. When he kicked two goals in the second quarter, Collingwood made a move. Howe replaced Maynard but the ball still followed Franklin everywhere, with the four-time All-Australian finishing with a pair of goals to help progress to another Grand Final.  

Just like it has done many times at home this season, Sydney made a blistering start to put four goals – all from turnovers – on the board before Collingwood had even scored. It took an opportunistic goal from Hoskin-Elliott for the Magpies to finally score, before Jamie Elliott converted from the spot Franklin kicked his 1000th goal from in round two to stem the bleeding. 

 Collingwood would gradually reduce the margin across four quarters, but would ultimately fall by the narrowest of margins to end a stunning rise from second last to the final four in heartbreaking fashion. 

Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury continued his brilliant finals series with another vintage performance at the age of 34, amassing 29 disposals and six tackles, while Jack Crisp backed up his standout performance in the semi-final with a near best-on-ground effort, finishing with 29 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal.  

Now Franklin has at least one game left – maybe one more year – but Sam Reid might miss the Grand Final after being substituted out of the game at half-time due to a groin injury. 

  • 01:41

    Preliminary Final recap

    Re-live our epic one point win over Collingwood to book our place in the 2022 AFL Grand Final.

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  • 12:18

    Post Match Press Conference: John Longmire, Preliminary Final

    Watch Sydney's press conference after the preliminary finals match against Collingwood

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  • 02:39

    Blakey post-game interview - Preliminary Final

    Hear from Nick Blakey after the Swans clinch a Grand Final spot with a one point win over Collingwood.

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  • 01:53

    Rowbottom post-game interview - Preliminary Final

    Hear from James Rowbottom after the Swans clinch a Grand Final spot with a one point win over Collingwood.

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  • 03:23

    Last two mins: Swans hang on as Pies' charge falls agonisingly short

    Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Swans and Magpies clash at the SCG

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  • 02:38

    Gulden's golden moments help Swans survive late

    Errol Gulden produces some typically brilliant kicks and tenacious tackles as Sydney holds on for an epic finals victory

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  • 08:02

    Highlights: Sydney v Collingwood

    The Swans and Magpies clash in the preliminary finals

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  • 00:36

    SCG goes wild as Swan cruises in after shocking Pie blunder

    Justin McInerney brilliantly reads the play to intercept the footy before strolling in for a massive finish

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  • 00:47

    Warner wizardry weaves a path through

    Chad Warner somehow manages to land this wild goal after a couple fortuitous bounces

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  • 00:42

    Slick Swans strike more gold with two quick gems

    Sydney adds to its electric start with a pair of majors through Dylan Stephens and Ryan Clarke

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  • 00:38

    Parker packs a punch with opening pearler

    Luke Parker takes the advantage and drills a stunning major to open proceedings

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  • 02:08

    Preliminary Final Team Selection, presented by QBE

    Hear from senior coach John Longmire who talks through this weeks team selection ahead of the Swans Preliminary Final clash with Collingwood at the SCG.

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  • 11:34

    Longmire press conference - September 13, 2022

    Hear from senior coach John Longmire ahead of the Swans upcoming preliminary final against Collingwood at the SCG.

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SYDNEY                      6.3       11.7       13.10       14.11 (95)
COLLINGWOOD         3.0        7.1         10.5        14.10 (94)

GOALS  
Sydney: Papley 3, Franklin 2, Clarke, Heeney, McDonald, McInerney, Parker, Reid, Rowbottom, Stephens, Warner
Collingwood: Elliott 2, Hoskin-Elliott 2, McCreery 2, Bianco, Cameron, Crisp, N.Daicos, J.Daicos, Ginnivan, Mihocek, Sidebottom

BEST  
Sydney: Mills, Papley, Warner, Gulden, Parker, Blakey, Rowbottom
Collingwood: Crisp, Pendlebury, Moore, Sidebottom, N.Daicos, Lipinski, Quaynor

INJURIES  
Sydney: Reid (groin)
Collingwood: Cox (groin)

SUBSTITUTES  
Sydney: Braeden Campbell (replaced Reid in the third quarter)
Collingwood: Nathan Kreuger (replaced Cox in the third quarter)

Crowd: 45,608 at the SCG