It's the end of a very long road for Sydney, with a one-point defeat against Greater Western Sydney at Launceston on Saturday afternoon spelling the end of the Swans' season.

Despite the Giants having the game on their terms for the first three quarters, the Swans staged a late fightback to just fall short in the 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) contest.

While the opening quarter was an arm-wrestle, the Giants booted five goals in a row midway through the second quarter to bring the game back well and truly on their terms. But an extraordinary goal from Lance Franklin gave the Swans some hope, before a late Giants goal pushed the margin back out to 23 points at the main break.

Back-to-back GWS goals pushed the margin out to 29 points early in the third quarter, before two goals in a row from Sydney's Isaac Heeney gave the Swans a sniff. But a goal from Giant Jesse Hogan on the three-quarter-time siren gave GWS a 19-point lead at the final change.

Two more goals from Heeney reignited hopes of a Swans comeback early in the fourth quarter, but four missed shots on goal spelled the end of Sydney's season.

04:49

Last Two Minutes: Elimination Final

Watch the thrilling finish between Sydney and Greater Western Sydney

Fresh off being named in the Therabody All-Australian team, Toby Greene was electric for the Giants, booting three goals but will likely come under scrutiny after making contact with an umpire at three-quarter time.

Buddy Franklin continued his march towards 1000 career goals, booting three, but will now have to wait until the 2022 season to reach the milestone.

Swans forward Isaac Heeney was a livewire and booted two of his four goals to open the fourth quarter, while midfielder Luke Parker was the game's leading ball-winner with 33 disposals and eight clearances.

SYDNEY                                            3.2   5.4   8.6     10.13 (73)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY         3.2   9.3   11.7   11.8 (74)

GOALS
Sydney: Heeney 4, Franklin 3, Papley 2, Bell
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Sproule 2, Himmelberg 2, Hogan 2, Taranto, Lloyd

BEST
Sydney: Heeney, Parker, Franklin, Dawson, Papley, Hewett, Hickey
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Taranto, Kelly, Perryman, Hogan, Sproule, Taylor

INJURIES
Sydney: McLean (leg)
Greater Western Sydney: Cumming (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Robbie Fox (replaced Hayden McLean)
Greater Western Sydney: Tanner Bruhn (replaced Isaac Cumming)

Crowd: TBC at University of Tasmania Stadium

  • 10:32

    Longmire: It's a gut-wrenching way to finish the season

    Watch Sydney's press conference after their Elimination Final match against GWS

    AFL
  • 07:42

    Match Highlights: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants, Elimination Final

    The Swans and Giants clash in the second Elimination Final

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Heeney give Swans late hope after two dashing goals

    Isaac Heeney kicks another two goals in the fourth quarter against GWS

    AFL
  • 04:49

    Last Two Minutes: Elimination Final

    Watch the thrilling finish between Sydney and Greater Western Sydney

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Heeney keeps Swans alive with two classy majors

    Isaac Heeney continues to prove himself as one of the most dynamic forwards in the league, watch as he kicks two classy majors

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Slick Buddy nails a bouncing dribbler off the ground

    Buddy Franklin kicks his second for the day with a tricky dribbling goal

    AFL
  • 00:25

    Buddy's banana gives Swans their third

    Classy Buddy Franklin secures Swans third against the Giants

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Papley makes the most of a Giants blunder to give Swans perfect start

    Tom Papley is at his usual best, finishing a 50m penalty to get the Swans on the board

    AFL
  • 03:11

    Finals 2021: Embracing the resilience.

    Embracing the resilience. Together Red & White.

    AFL
  • 02:00

    Elimination Final Team Selection, presented by QBE

    John Longmire confirms his changes for our Elimination Final against GWS this Saturday afternoon at UTAS.

    AFL