Fremantle reached the AFL grand final after overturning Sydney’s advantage to win their preliminary final at the SCG by 13 points, ending the Swans’ hopes of returning to the decider.
Sydney had appeared to have rebuilt its season after a difficult month in Melbourne, despite losing several leading players to season-ending suspensions for failing to meet club standards following their round 23 victory over Essendon. But the Swans could not hold off a Fremantle surge after half-time.
Hayden Young was central to the Dockers’ revival. His outstanding third quarter included a goal on the three-quarter-time siren, while he continued to influence scoring chains from midfield and across half-forward. He was rated Fremantle’s best player alongside Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden, with both awarded 8.5 out of 10.
Shai Bolton then delivered a decisive contribution in the final term. After being hurried early and largely quiet in the third quarter, he moved deep into attack and kicked two goals, adding eight tackles in a crucial late cameo.
Isaiah Dudley also kicked twice, including the sealing goal in the closing stages, while Luke Jackson contributed two important goals after a demanding ruck contest with Brodie Grundy.
Logan McDonald leads Sydney effort
Sydney’s Logan McDonald was the match’s leading scorer with three goals and repeatedly presented as the Swans’ deepest forward. Tom Papley was also influential in the first half, creating opportunities, applying pressure and producing a series of strong defensive efforts, although he finished with 1.3.
Gulden amassed a game-high 36 disposals and recovered quickly from an early turnover that gifted Fremantle a goal. His influence was substantial, though he was judged to have been less damaging than in some of his recent performances.
Tom McCartin was another of Sydney’s stronger performers, taking 11 intercept marks and producing an early goal-saving tackle on Patrick Voss. Joel Hamling also held his own in defence, while Jake Lloyd provided reliable rebound from the backline.
But Sydney’s attack struggled for support beyond McDonald and Papley. Charlie Curnow managed only one goal and was largely subdued, apart from a spectacular mark over Oscar McDonald, while several Swans faded badly in the final term.
Fremantle’s comeback was built on a broader second-half contribution. Caleb Serong finished with 28 disposals and 10 clearances, Andrew Brayshaw led the Dockers with 29 touches despite some wayward disposal, and Murphy Reid recovered from a difficult opening half to produce several important touches after the interval.
Mason Cox had little influence around the ground until his defining moment, when he marked strongly and kicked Fremantle in front during the final quarter. Patrick Voss endured a difficult opening, conceding three free kicks before half-time, but later produced a powerful fend-off on Sydney captain Dane Rampe and kicked during the Dockers’ decisive burst.
Josh Treacy, who had kicked four goals when the sides last met, was held goalless and beaten by Sydney’s defence. Yet Fremantle’s collective response after the break carried them through to a grand final berth, while Sydney was left 13 points short.
