It meant the Magpies would be playing catch-up all afternoon – a position they weren’t exactly unfamiliar with and,indeed,have relished. They almost did again,kicking seven of the last nine goals.
The Pies’ history of stunning comebacks and miraculous narrow wins meant that Sydney could never truly relax. It got nervy deep in the third quarter,when the visitors outscored them three goals to two,and a miss after the siren from Isaac Heeney left the margin at 23 points and door ajar for another fantastical finish.
An eight-minute arm-wrestle followed at the start of the final term,before the Pies drew first blood with a snap from Patrick Lipinski made it three consecutive goals to Collingwood for the first time in the match. A sense of panic was visibly setting in,on the field and in the grandstands.
But Papley got the goal Sydney desperately needed when he was awarded a questionable two-on-one mark,despite shoving Darcy Moore in the back and side,with about10 minutes to go. Yet the Swans couldn’t find the killer blow,and seemed to be running out of gas.
Brody Mihocek marked and goaled from the top of the square to cut it back to 15 points. Then Will Hoskin-Elliott snapped,and they needed two goals in four minutes. A smothered clearance kick from Ollie Florent fell to Steele Sidebottom,who cut it back to three points – the tightest margin of the night. But they had nothing more to give.
Lance Franklin,monstered by Melbourne’s Steven May a fortnight ago,defied those who went the early crow and suggested he’d run out of juice. He kicked 2.1 but beyond the numbers had a big influence on how things played out in Sydney’s forward line,due to his sheer presence. The best that Franklin’s first match-up,Brandon Maynard,could do was try to wipe the oil off his arms. Jeremy Howe and then Darcy Moore were sent to Buddy,whose career might indeed be over next weekend – if Sydney can send him off on the right note.
The Swans,perennial finals contenders,have done a remarkable job to put themselves in a position to contend for the flag. They have rebuilt their list at rapid speed,spending just two seasons out of the top eight in 2019 and 2020 as the old guard moved on and the new breed stepped up.
Only two players on their list,co-captain Luke Parker and Sam Reid,were part of the team that won the 2012 grand final – but it seems only Parker will get a shot at adding another medal to his collection,with Reid subbed out early in the third quarter with an adductor strain.
The 30-year-old has had a career limited by a wretched run of injuries,but had fought back from almost being delisted at the end of last season to become a pivotal member of this new-look Sydney team. His body may have failed him again at the worst possible moment.
Collingwood also used their sub,with Mason Cox (groin) withdrawn in the third term for Nathan Kreuger,in what felt much more like a tactical move.
SYDNEY
6.3 11.7 13.1014.11 (95)
COLLINGWOOD
3.0 7.1 10.514.10 (94)
GOALS
Sydney: Papley 3,Franklin 2,Stephens,Heeney,Reid,Clarke,Rowbottom,Parker,Warner,McInerney,McDonald.
Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 2,McCreery 2,Elliott 2,Mihocek,Cameron,Bianco,Daicos,Crisp,Daicos,Sidebottom,Ginnivan.
BEST
Sydney: Warner,Hickey,Mills,Papley.
Collingwood: Crisp,Moore,Cameron,Pendlebury.
UMPIRES
Stephens,Meredith,Stevic
CROWD
45,608 at SCG.