For the fourth time in less than a decade, the battle for Sydney takes place in September, as the Swans host their little brothers GWS in a massive qualifying final.
The Swans (1st, 17-6, 126.7%) were the dominant side of the home and away season and claimed the minor premiership, though they didn’t show their best form over the last two months, winning just four of their last nine games.
In contrast the Giants (4th, 15-8, 109.1%) won seven straight games to secure a top-four finish, before a Round 24 hiccup. They have won all three previous finals against Sydney, always winning as the lower-ranked side (like they are today).
Watch Sydney v GWS Giants SAT 3:20PM AEST | LIVE & ad-break free during play, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
MATCH CENTRE: Sydney v GWS First Qualifying Final scores, stats and more
FINALS FIXTURE: Every game, time and venue plus how the bracket works
In these sides’ two meetings this season Sydney got the chocolates twice, winning by 29 points at the SCG, and 27 points at ENGIE Stadium.
Tonight’s winner will host the First Preliminary Final in a fortnight’s time against the winner of next week’s Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Second Semi-Final.
Tonight’s loser will host the First Semi Final in a week’s time, against the winner of tonight’s Brisbane vs Carlton First Elimination Final.
The First Qualifying Final gets underway at 3:20pm AEST from the SCG.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo or via Hubbl from 2:30pm AEST.
MATCH UPDATES
There were no late changes, with Braeden Campbell (Sydney) and Xavier O’Halloran (GWS) named the starting subs.
After a tight and tough start start to the game, Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan booted the opener with an epic long-range launch.
The Giants looked more composed in the opening minutes in a promising start for the visitors.
Hogan added a second goal later in the term after gathering the ball at the back of a pack and, with a score review giving it the all clear to continue GWS’ hot start.
Sydney’s star midfielders were quiet early, with Errol Gulden and Chad Warner both struggling to impact.
Both sides missed key opportunities in front of goal in the period, with the Giants in particular not getting reward for their strong play.
Darcy Jones received a hit to the stomach from Hayden McLean that saw the Giants forward come from the ground grimacing in pain.
Things got testy at the quarter-time break after Tom Papley and Toby Greene got into it before it ignited tempers to flare between both sides in fiery scenes.
The Giants led 2.4 (17) to 1.4 (10) at the first break.
“Who would’ve thought Papley and Green would go at it?,” Hawks champion Jason Dunstall sarcastically said on Fox Footy. “Two likely candidates.”
Papley kicked his first goal early in the second term before getting into the Giants defenders afterwards with a flex celebration in more tense scenes.
But it was the Giants very much controlling the play including Lachie Keefe extending the visitors’ lead with a goal off the ground.
“Sydney can’t get anything going forward of centre,” Channel 7’s Matthew Richardson observed.
Aaron Cadman received a free kick in front of goal to make it four majors to one in the second term in GWS’ favour and open up a 27-point lead.
Will Hayward kicked a snap goal around his body against the grain — before engaging in more trash talking with his Giants opponents — to give his side a spark.
But Cadman responded at the other end in a big steadier for the red-hot Giants.
Heeney took a one-handed grab late in the term and nailed the snap goal to cause the SCG to erupt in a big moment to keep the hosts alive.
“He’s the one trying to lift his team. That’s inspirational,” Richardson said of Heeney.
GWS led 7.8 (50) to 4.5 (29) at the half-time break.
“Dominant first half from the Giants, they’ve ticked every box. But that last Heeney goal keeps Sydney in touch,” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
Kangaroos great David King added: “Just admire how tough the Giants have been, they’ve been brutal at the contest, it’s their trademark.”
Heeney took a huge hanger to open the second the second term in what would’ve been a genuine mark of the year contender.
“As good as it gets, he’s trying to lift his team,” Richardson said.
Dane Rampe kept Sydney’s momentum going with his first goal in a final to get the hosts within 15 points as the SCG came alive.
Heeney kicked another goal in a heroic effort from the superstar to keep his side’s momentum going.
With the Giants under all sorts of pressure, Hogan took a big grab and converted his third goal to sway momentum.
Jones added another after the next centre bounce — making it two quick goals in a minute — in a great response from the Giants when they most needed it.
In a costly blunder, Tom McCartin and Lewis Melican collided into each other on the last line of defence, with Cadman capitalising with his third goal to extend the Giants’ lead to 27 points.
Justin McInerney, who’d been quiet in his return from a knee injury, was subbed out for Braeden Campbell (tactical).
GWS led 10.9 (69) to 7.6 (48) at the last change.
Sydney got off to the hot start it needed, with Hayward kicking his second goal to create a buzz at the SCG.
But like they had all game, the Giants responded, with James Peatling drawing a free kick and nailing a snap goal to push the visitors’ lead out to 20 points.
Papley came right back though, nailing a big trike from the 50m arc — celebrating with gusto like only Papley — before Jake Lloyd followed it up with a big running goal to bring it back to an eight-point game.
It became a slog from there with neither side giving an inch as the pressure stakes went up.
Callan Ward stepped up with a ripping snap goal to regain some breathing space. Braeden Campbell got on the end of a crafty pass from James Jordon in a quick Swans response with seven minutes remaining.
Follow Sydney v GWS in our live blog below!
