THE Sydney Swans have played out a dramatic draw in a see-sawing match against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
It was a remarkable finish to a game that the Swans looked to have the ascendancy in, until a resurgent Melbourne found an extra gear before the siren rang with the scores locked on 11.18 (84) to 11.18 (84).
The Demons had trailed for the whole game until Brad Green's soccered goal at the 25-minute mark of the final term saw the home side grab a surprise one-point lead.
But a desperate behind from the Swans' Ryan O'Keefe just seconds out from the final siren sealed the result.
For the Swans, Jarrad McVeigh (22 touches and five tackles) and O'Keefe (31 touches and six tackles) were the best for the Swans, while skipper Adam Goodes was dominant throughout the first half.
Green's last-quarter goal was his second for the match and came after dislocating his finger in the second quarter. He was among his side's best while first-gamer Luke Tapscott (19 possessions) had a debut to remember and experienced teammates Brent Moloney (26 possessions and a goal) and Colin Sylvia (17 possessions and a goal) refused to give in.
More to come from the MCG.
Match details
Melbourne 3.2 5.8 8.12 11.18 (84)
Sydney Swans 5.3 7.5 10.14 11.18 (84)
GOALS
Melbourne: Green 2, Dunn 2, Jurrah 2, Sylvia, Jetta, Moloney, Jones, Bennell
Sydney Swans: McGlynn 3, Bolton 3, Goodes 2, Reid, Everitt, White
BEST
Melbourne: Sylvia, Garland, Moloney, Trengove, Tapscott, Green, Dunn
Sydney Swans: Richards, Jack, Bolton, McGlynn, O’Keefe, McVeigh, Grundy
INJURIES
Melbourne: nil
Sydney Swans: nil
Reports: Davey (Melb) for head high contact with McGlynn (Syd)
Umpires: McBurney, Armstrong, Jeffery
Official crowd: 33,951 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
