The Sydney Swans task of progressing to back-to-back grand finals was made even more challenging with Kurt Tippett and Tom Mitchell ruled out of the preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth.
With Adam Goodes, Sam Reid, Rhyce Shaw, Alex Johnson, Mitch Morton and Martin Mattner also missing from the team through injury, it was always going to be a tough ask to beat the Dockers on their home deck.
‘Pressure’ was the buzz word all week and it was Fremantle that certainly brought the pressure to the contest as they rushed the Swans into turnovers – and could have made the Swans pay significantly if not for inaccurate kicking.
At quarter-time the score was 2.1 to 2.9 in the home side’s favour, but Fremantle lifted a gear in the second quarter piling on five goals to just one behind from the Swans on their way to a 25-point victory and their first Grand Final appearance.
It was a brave effort from the Swans in the end as they farewelled club legend Jude Bolton after 325 games and two premierships.
While Swans coach John Longmire couldn’t hide the “absolute disappointment” of losing, the team simply “needed a few more fresh men in the end”.
Sydney Swans 2.1 2.2 5.5 11.8 (74)
Fremantle 2.9 7.11 11.12 14.15 (99)
GOALS: Rohan 2, Cunningham 2, Jetta, Parker, Bolton, McGlynn, Pyke, Hannebery, McVeigh
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Jarrad McVeigh 30, Ben McGlynn 26, Luke Parker 25
CROWD: 43,249 at Patersons Stadium
