In a rematch of the 2012 Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn, it was last year’s runners-up, and this year’s eventual premiers, who came out on top.
The Hawks had the perfect start, kicking the first five goals of the match before the Swans registered their first goal in the closing stages of the opening quarter.
With a healthy 23-point lead heading into the second quarter, the Swans threw everything at the Hawks as Adam Goodes (27 possessions and 10 inside 50s) and Josh Kennedy (30 and 13 clearances) tried everything to pin back the lead.
In the end the Hawks’ fast start proved the difference as the Swans registered their second loss for the year going down by 37 points.
Sydney Swans 1.4 4.5 7.7 12.10 (82)
Hawthorn 5.3 11.3 14.6 18.11 (119)
GOALS: Kennedy 2, McGlynn 2, O'Keefe 2, Pyke, Parker, Lamb, Bolton, White, Goodes
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Adam Goodes 35, Josh Kennedy 35, Ben McGlynn 33
CROWD: 54,725 at the MCG
LADDER POSITION: Fifth
Round 8 v Fremantle
The two best defensive teams came head-to-head at the SCG in round 8, as the Sydney Swans hosted eventual grand finalists, Fremantle.
While the Dockers got off to a better start, having nine scoring shots to three in the opening term, they only headed into the quarter-time break with a slender 6-point lead.
The Swans responded in the next two quarters – largely on the back of Dan Hannebery’s four first-half goals and Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy dominating the midfield – to race out to a 27-point lead midway through the last quarter.
But the Dockers weren’t prepared to raise the white flag and quickly booted four goals to level the scores.
Michael Johnson had a set shot in the last 10 seconds from which any score would have given Fremantle a memorable win, but Sam Reid took a soaring pack mark that saved the Swans from defeat as the game finished locked at 70 points apiece.
Sydney Swans 3.0 7.2 8.3 11.4 (70)
Fremantle 3.6 3.8 5.12 9.16 (70)
GOALS: Hannebery 4, McGlynn 2, Bolton, Everitt, Jack, Pyke, Jetta
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Dan Hannebery 45, Kieren Jack 40, Jarrad McVeigh 40
CROWD: 22,546 at SCG
LADDER POSITION: Fourth
The two best defensive teams came head-to-head at the SCG in round 8, as the Sydney Swans hosted eventual grand finalists, Fremantle.
While the Dockers got off to a better start, having nine scoring shots to three in the opening term, they only headed into the quarter-time break with a slender 6-point lead.
The Swans responded in the next two quarters – largely on the back of Dan Hannebery’s four first-half goals and Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy dominating the midfield – to race out to a 27-point lead midway through the last quarter.
But the Dockers weren’t prepared to raise the white flag and quickly booted four goals to level the scores.
Michael Johnson had a set shot in the last 10 seconds from which any score would have given Fremantle a memorable win, but Sam Reid took a soaring pack mark that saved the Swans from defeat as the game finished locked at 70 points apiece.
Sydney Swans 3.0 7.2 8.3 11.4 (70)
Fremantle 3.6 3.8 5.12 9.16 (70)
GOALS: Hannebery 4, McGlynn 2, Bolton, Everitt, Jack, Pyke, Jetta
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Dan Hannebery 45, Kieren Jack 40, Jarrad McVeigh 40
CROWD: 22,546 at SCG
LADDER POSITION: Fourth
