The Sydney Swans have suffered a four-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns in Round 8 after a thrilling come from behind victory fell just short with the Suns kicking a major in the final minute of play to secure a victory at Henson Park.

The Swans had booted three goals in a row to take an unlikely lead late in the game until Dupuy took matters into her own hands, first claiming the ball out of a ruck contest deep in the Suns' forward line and putting through the match-winner.

When Suns Elise Barwick booted a behind after the centre bounce, the Swans opened up one last attack from the kick-in before Dupuy again stepped in with a crucial diving mark to clinch the Suns' 7.8 (50) to 6.10 (46) triumph on Saturday afternoon.

The win lifts the Suns off the bottom of the ladder while the Swans will rue wasting opportunities near goal throughout the game as they booted eight straight behinds before finding a trio of majors in the dying stages. 

00:56

Swans surge late after cracking Privitelli pair

Bec Privitelli threads two momentous majors to put Sydney in front in the closing stages

The Swans have been hit hard by injuries to key personnel - and were again missing All-Australians Chloe Molloy, Laura Gardiner and Ally Morphett - but had a glimpse into their bright future with young gun Sofia Hurley taking command of the midfield.

The 20-year-old gathered 21 classy disposals and did much of the damage in the forward half with seven inside-50s as she continues to put together an impressive breakout season.

Lauren Szigeti (14 disposals) made the most of a recall and added experience and strength around the stoppages with five clearances, while Sarah Grunden also took her opportunity to be back in the side.

Co-captain Lucy McEvoy lifted her impact when spending more time forward in the second half as the Swans went toe-to-toe with the Suns without quite making the most of their efforts on the scoreboard.

06:00

AFLW Highlights: Sydney v Gold Coast

The Swans and Suns clash in week eight of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season

The Suns made a hot start with three of the opening four goals as the Swans did themselves few favours with wayward kicking coming out of defence regularly turning the ball over.

The hosts worked their way into the contest from there but on a day where blustery conditions made it tricky to take opportunities near goal, it was the Suns' cleaner ball use that proved the difference.

Bec Privitelli lights up late under gloomy skies
The Swans had found goalkicking tough in blustery conditions with eight straight behinds before making a late surge when the game was all but out of their reach. Co-Captain Lucy McEvoy sparked the hosts with their first goal since the opening term but it was Bec Privitelli who dragged the Swans into the lead with minutes remaining. The crafty forward used all of her nous when taking an advantage after a free kick deep in the Swans forward line with what proved to be a pivotal play after both sides had missed multiple set shots at the same end.

05:17

"The hardest lessons are learning on the go." - Gowans

Watch Sydney's press conference after week eight’s match against Gold Coast

SYDNEY                       3.1       3.5       3.9       6.10 (46)
GOLD COAST              3.3       4.3       5.3       7.8 (50)

GOALS
Sydney: Privitelli 2, Lochland, C.Hamilton, Whelan, McEvoy
Gold Coast: Bohanna 2, Dupuy 2, Girvan, Oliver, Whitfort

BEST 
Sydney: Hurley, McEvoy, Privitelli, Tarrant, Szigeti
Gold Coast: Whitfort, Rowbottom, Dupuy, Barwick, D'Arcy, Girvan

INJURIES 
Sydney: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Sydney: Bella Smith (managed) replaced in selected side by Aimee Whelan
Gold Coast: Nil

Crowd: 2,570 at Henson Park