THE SYDNEY Swans have clawed their way back from 17 points down midway through the final quarter to salvage a thrilling draw – the second in two weeks at Telstra Dome – with North Melbourne.
The Swans looked down and out in the last quarter but came within inches of pulling off a dramatic win, eventually sharing the points with the Kangaroos after Brett Kirk’s left-foot snap was touched right on the line with a little over a minute remaining.
Neither team could score in the final 70 seconds, with the inaccurate Swans finishing 8.16 (64) to North Melbourne’s 9.10 (64).
Adam Goodes, responding to last week’s criticism from coach Paul Roos, was superb for the Swans while Kirk, last-quarter hero O’Loughlin and the tireless Ryan O’Keefe were also terrific.
Brent Harvey made life tough for tagger Kieren Jack while Michael Firrito – North’s Superman after touching Kirk’s shot at goal in the final minutes – was impenetrable down back.
It all came down to the final term after the Kangas led by just five points at the last change.
And North looked home after goals to David Hale and Corey Jones.
But the Swans wouldn’t be denied.
Kirk kept working, while Tadhg Kennelly finally started to give his team some run.
O’Loughlin booted goals at the 19 and 20-minute marks, and the swans had chances to move in front through Ed Barlow, O’Keefe and Jarred Moore.
But it was Kirk’s left-foot snap that ultimately would decide the result.
North Melbourne players Brady Rawlings and Harvey celebrated at the final siren, a la Nathan Brown seven days earlier, at the sound of the siren having believed their side was in front.
Earlier, the Swans had made the running in the opening term, getting off to an ideal start with a goal inside the first minute of the game.
Darren Jolly crept forward and marked straight in front to get the visitors rolling, but it would be more than half a quarter before either team was able to bring up two flags as both sides struggled to find any fluency going into attack.
Goodes had clearly heard his coach’s call and looked a far more intent player in the early minutes, with Kangaroo Sam Power looking like he was facing an uphill battle to nullify the dual Brownlow medallist.
There was just 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter when North Melbourne opened its account, Corey Jones latching onto the end of a floating kick inside 50 and kicking truly to relieve supporters.
However, the Swans responded immediately. Nick Davis easily outpointed Leigh Harding in a one-on-one contest and his shot at goal sailed through as the siren rang to establish a handy 15-point advantage at the first break.
North Melbourne was the better side in the second term but could only manage 2.5 to 1.2 for all its hard work.
Nathan Thompson was the go-to man in attack, looking impressive on the lead for his two goals, while Goodes slotted a long, difficult shot from out wide to keep the Swans’ noses in front at the main break.
But while that goal stung the Kangas, perhaps it was a severe-looking ankle injury to forward Aaron Edwards – forcing him from the ground – that might deliver more anguish.
The Kangaroos would not only be deprived of a key attacking weapon in the second half, but would also be a man down for the rest of the clash.
They came out firing in the second half, with Matt Campbell goaling inside two minutes before Leigh Harding put North in front for the first time for the afternoon.
Michael O’Loughlin, who had been well held, responded for the Swans.
The ever-improving Jarred Moore chipped cleverly to the veteran whose long bomb found its mark mid-way through the quarter.
The two teams would trade goals and the lead a further three times for the term.
Jude Bolton had two late chances – neither of them easy – to boot majors but sprayed his shots, so at the last change North Melbourne led by five points, setting the scene for the deciding final quarter.
Sydney Swans 3.5 4.7 6.10 8.16 (64)
North Melbourne 1.2 3.7 7.9 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: O’Loughlin 3, Goodes 2, Jolly, Bird, Davis
North Melbourne: Thompson 2, Jones 2, Hale 2, Campbell, Harding, McIntosh
BEST
Sydney Swans: Goodes, Kirk, O’Keefe, Bevan, O’Loughlin, Moore
North Melbourne: Harvey, Firrito, Petrie, Rawlings, Simpson
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: TBC
North Melbourne: Edwards (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McLaren, Ryan, Avon
Official crowd: 28,392 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
