Fremantle have pulled off a monumental comeback to book their place in the AFL Grand Final as a disastrous 30 minutes ruined Sydney’s premiership hopes.
The Swans dominated the first half and led by 27 points in the third quarter but Sydney did not score a point in the last quarter until the final minute of the game.
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Fremantle overpowered the Swans in the final quarter, kicking five goals to none as the home side ran out of steam after clamping the Dockers for most of the contest.
Hayden Young gave the Dockers a sniff of victory with an enormous goal from the boundary after the three-quarter time siren that proved pivotal in the context of the game.
“I don’t think Fremantle win if Hayden Young doesn’t kick that,” Leigh Montagna said on Kayo Sports.
Freo became just the fourth team this century to come back from a halftime deficit of 18 points or more in a preliminary final. Adding to the historic comeback, the Swans had won their past 102 games at the SCG when leading by three goals or more at three-quarter time.
Fremantle are back in their first grand final since 2013 and have the chance to win a maiden AFL premiership.
It was a brave effort from the Swans, who were without three of their best players in Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, and Nick Blakey due to suspension.
There were scenes of devastation at full-time as Swans players absorbed the reality of falling agonisingly short of the grand final.
Swans veteran Dane Rampe, who stepped up to captain the side on Friday night, appeared particularly crushed. Rumours about his future have swirled.
Swans’ coach Dean Cox was non-committal about Rampe’s future when speaking after the game.
“I haven’t spoken to Dane about the possibilities next year,” a disappointed Cox said.
“He’s earned the right to get through this year (and) like every player, we’ll have discussions in the coming weeks about what the future looks like, and that won’t be different for Dane.”
“I haven’t really thought about (it),” he said.
“He’s earned the right to say if he wants to play on or if he doesn’t, and then we just have those conversations from there.”
Brisbane take on Hawthorn in the other preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday.
Recap all the action below.
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