Two spectacular Ryley Stoddart goals in the final term have sprung the Sydney Swans to a come-from-behind 13-point win over the Canberra Demons at Phillip Oval on Saturday.
The Swans trailed by 23 points at three-quarter time but would put the Demons to the sword in a six-goal-to-zero last quarter, with Stoddart producing the heroics in a 9.14 (68) to 8.7 (55) victory in the nation's capital.
Sydney snared three goals in quick succession after the final change, before Stoddart launched from outside 50 to hand the Swans the lead for the first time in the match midway through the last stanza.
The first-year Swan, who made his AFL debut in Sydney’s Round 10 clash with the Brisbane Lions, then kicked the final goal of the game in a clever piece of crumbing.
A desperate Demons defender jumped high to stop a Swans goal, the ball spilled to ground and Stoddart soccered the Sherrin through.
The up-and-coming defender collected 16 touches and stamped his impact with searing pace off half-back and pinpoint use of the football.
But the Swans’ best was ruckman Darcy Cameron, who finished with 30 possessions, 72 hit-outs and nine marks to lodge a stunning case for an AFL recall.
The 204-centimetre big man, who made his AFL debut in the recent Gold Coast Suns clash, was superb in a battle with imposing former SANFL ruckman Cameron Milne.
Exciting forward James Rose complemented a game-high three goals with 32 disposals to do his chances of a senior call-up no harm, while midfielder Dan Robinson (42 touches, one goal) and defender Colin O’Riordan (31 possessions) also mounted strong AFL cases.
Canberra dominated early proceedings in a four-goal-to-one opening term but O’Riordan was a shining light, continually cutting off the Demons’ go-forward with expert reading of the play in defence.
The Irishman’s teammates began to follow suit in the second quarter, with the Swans streaming inside 50 off the back of quick and clean ball movement.
But they would kick one goal and 10 behinds to reap little reward for brilliant second-term play.
The Demons led by 21 points at quarter-time, 11 points at half-time and 23 points at the final change, before the Stoddart-inspired Swans clicked into gear.
AFL hopeful Robbie Fox also fired in a return of 28 disposals and nine tackles, while young Swans Jake Brown (22 touches) and James Bell (15 possessions, one goal) showed promising signs.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy stars Sam Wicks (18 disposals, one goal) and Connor Flanagan (18 touches) also played important roles.
The Round 19 victory saw Sydney climb from fourth to second on the ladder and respond to back-to-back losses to Gold Coast and Brisbane.
The Swans are now set to face the Giants at Spotless Stadium in their second-last regular-season match of 2018.
Sydney Swans 1.0 2.10 3.12 9.14 (68)
Canberra Demons 4.3 5.3 8.5 8.7 (55)
Goals – Sydney Swans: J Rose 3, R Stoddart 2, J Stern, S Wicks, J Bell, D Robinson
