Jarrad McVeigh. With the Swans two players down after Kurt Tippett and Tom Mitchell were hurt, McVeigh marshalled his team beautifully and seemed to be part of every attacking move. This was especially true in the second term, when he gathered an amazing 20 possessions in the quarter. Nothing seemed too difficult, including a miraculous right foot snap goal from deep in the right forward pocket. He finished with a career-high 42 touches, one short of Dane Swan's finals record.
Who fizzled?
Kurt Tippett. The Swans spearhead came into the semi-final with a season total of 35 goals from 11 games and was expected to be a key player in the match. The 26-year-old looked good early, pulling down a strong contested mark against Michael Jamison, but his 35m set-shot slewed off the side of the boot for a behind. Moments later he limped off the ground looking proppy and straight into the hands of the medical staff. His night was officially declared over before quarter-time as he put on the red vest and substitute Lewis Jetta entered the fray far earlier than anyone would have expected.
The moment
The Swans dominated the early stages of the third term and finally got some reward for effort through Luke Parker's back-to-back goals in the 11th and 14th minute. Then came the moment the crowd had wanted – Lewis Jetta in space in a foot race with Chris Yarran on the left wing. Just managing to keep the ball in play, the speedy Swan managed to dribble it into the goal-square. Kieren Jack then stuck a boot out and soccered it through as the Swans broke the game wide open.
The stat
Mick Malthouse has done just about everything in the game as a player and as a coach. Along the way, he has picked up a few records – some welcome, some unwelcome. The veteran coach added another to the latter category on Saturday night when Carlton became the first team under Malthouse to be held scoreless in a quarter of finals footy. It was the 207th quarter Malthouse had coached in finals.
The quote
"We always play pretty well over there. We have just got to regroup and get ready to go." - Swans veteran Jude Bolton looks ahead to the preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth next week.
3-2-1
One vote: Daniel Hannebery
Down to just two interchange players, the short-staffed Swans had to shoulder a heavier-than-usual burden and Hannebery was more than up to the challenge. He kept the pressure on Carlton through the middle of the ground and was a key player in the win.
Two votes: Luke Parker
When Kurt Tippett limped off injured early in the opening term, the obvious first question was who would supply the goals to ensure the Swans kicked a winning score. Parker answered the call with three majors, including two in the third term when the Swans booted five goals to nil to blow the game open.
Three votes: Jarrad McVeigh
McVeigh put in a herculean effort to lift the Swans into the preliminary final. He was in everything and his hard running was one of the keys to winning the game and ensuring their defence of the 2012 premiership remained alive for another week.
