A five-goal haul from superstar forward Lance Franklin has lifted the Sydney Swans to a pulsating three-point win over the Brisbane Lions in a controversial finish at the Gabba on Sunday.
Franklin kicked three in the first term and was always there to thwart a desperate Lions outfit as the Swans eked out a 15.7 (97) to 14.10 (94) victory.
After being humbled by the Western Bulldogs just eight days ago, the Lions' performance was full of merit.
But coach Justin Leppitsch felt they could have won if not for an incident in the final minutes that saw Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair stretchered from the field.
With the Lions on the attack in their forward 50 and trailing by three points, Sinclair – clutching at his knee 100m from the ball – was taken from the ground as play was held up.
"I just don't know how the stretcher call (comes) when there's a live ball in your own forward 50, how the game's allowed to stop," Leppitsch said.
"I don't know the ruling behind it, maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is the play has to stop before the stretcher comes out, not the other way around.
"We all saw it, a bloke tripped over his own feet and they called a stretcher.
"We're three points down with a live ball in our forward 50 and they can get 18 players down there. Can we use it as a tactic, now, can we? I don't know.
"Wouldn't you be filthy? Of course you would be."
Luke Parker took a mark and kicked the match-sealing goal moments later.
Tom Bell kicked a goal with two seconds remaining to settle the final margin.
Despite the late drama, Franklin was the headline act coming into the game and did not disappoint.
His goal in the first minute after half-time was memorable, marking on the 50m arc and putting his right hand into Daniel Merrett's chest to give himself half a metre of space before thumping home a gorgeous drop punt.
He also kicked one on the three-quarter time siren to give the Swans an eight-point lead at the last change.
Franklin's five goals give him 23 for the season, just one behind Gold Coast's Tom Lynch in the race for the Coleman Medal.
"He’s has had a really good start to the season," Swans coach John Longmire said of Franklin.
"Whether he is kicking goals or giving them off or being up the ground, he’s fit, he’s moving, he's getting around the ground really well. He is in good nick, which is good to see."
The Swans' fifth win in six rounds was not easy.
After establishing a 22-point lead at quarter-time they were on the back foot for much of the day.
Parker was a colossus in the wet conditions, which turned sunny in the final term, kicking three goals to go with 29 disposals.
Dan Hannebery (33 touches, 19 contested) and Josh Kennedy (30, 17 contested) were tireless in the clinches, while Kurt Tippett was influential in the ruck.
The Lions would be disappointed to not win, but can hold their heads high.
After being challenged by coach Justin Leppitsch to improve their contested footy during the week, they responded.
Dayne Zorko (33 touches) was full of energy and commitment, while Mitch Robinson (28, 19 contested) did a power of work.
The match-winning lead came during the first quarter.
After conceding the first two goals of the game, the Swans took charge with seven of the next eight to take a 22-point lead into the break.
Along with Franklin, unheralded forward George Hewett also kicked three in the quarter.
Things began to turn in the second as the Lions levelled up the contested ball numbers and locked the ball inside their forward 50.
MEDICAL ROOM
Sydney Swans: He was the talking point of the final minutes and Callum Sinclair was the major casualty for the Swans. John Longmire said he hoped the ruckman's knee was OK, but was unsure. Nick Smith had a knee niggle and was replaced pre-game, but is expected to be fine for next week.
Brisbane Lions: A big positive for the Lions was a clean bill of health. Mitch Robinson clobbered into Josh Kennedy's broad shoulders in the third term, but came back on to play an influential role.
NEXT UP
The Swans will start raging favourites to remain in the top four when they host Essendon at the SCG next Saturday night, while the Lions have a tricky trip to the Adelaide Oval to take on Port Adelaide. The Lions have been competitive at home so far in 2016, and will be eager to show they can do likewise on the road.
BRISBANE LIONS 3. 3 5. 7 10. 9 14. 10 (94)
SYDNEY SWANS 7. 1 8. 3 12. 5 15. 7 (97)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Christensen 3, Hanley 2, Lester 2, Rich 2, Bastinac, Keays, McStay, Walker, Zorko
Sydney Swans: Franklin 5, Hewitt 3, Parker 3, McGlynn 2, Heeney, Tippett
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Robinson, Rich, Rockliff, Hanley, Gardiner
Sydney Swans: Franklin, Hannebery, Parker, Mitchell, Tippett, Rampe
INJURIES:
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Sydney Swans: Nick Smith (knee) replaced in selected side by Zak Jones, Sinclair (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Harris, Stephens, Schmitt
Official crowd: 14,646 at the Gabba
