Fremantle surge towards ‘immortality’ in heartbreaking Swans exit
Fremantle has produced an insane comeback to seal a spot in the AFL grand final after defeating the Swans 12.11 (83) - 10.11 (71) at the SCG.
The Dockers trailed Sydney by 28 points on the verge of the third quarter break, before a miraculous set shot goal to Hayden Young after the siren trimmed the margin.
Jordan Clark of the Dockers celebrates. AFL Photos via Getty Images
That momentum swing inspired an incredible final-quarter charge to send the Dockers into their second ever grand final.
“It’s been a classic and Fremantle are one win away from immortality, and they’ve done it with a last quarter smash and grab,” Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell said.
Fremantle has never won a grand final and played in their only decider in 2013.
Ross Lyon led that side in a match Freo lost to Hawthorn by 15 points.
Now they’ll be coached by Justin Longmuir, who will feature in his first grand final.
The coach would’ve been concerned over the three quarters but taken some comfort that his side were never truly out of the contest.
At the end of the first quarter the Swans led 4.5 (29) - 2.1 (13) followed by a 19-point lead at half-time.
Heading into that final quarter the lead was 21 points before Dockers star Shai Bolton came alive and kicked two early goals along with Patrick Voss, whose fend-off and snap sent travelling fans into a frenzy.
Mason Cox and Isaiah Dudley followed to make it five unanswered goals for the quarter. Sydney’s only score in the final term would be a Tom Papley behind, ending the Swans’ season.
Post-match, Bolton described the comeback as “special” and provided an insight into the third-quarter message that saved his team’s season.
“It was just to be aggressive and play our way,” he told Fox Footy.
“What we wanted to do was play some forward football and try and get it into our inside 50 quick and pressure quickly. I think we did that and that’s why we got the result.”
The loss for the Swans ends a tumultuous back end of the season which involved the suspension of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon before the regular rounds ended.
Tom Papley reacts after the preliminary final loss. via Getty Images
A win in the first final against Brisbane was inspirational, but they simply didn’t have the legs to keep going when it mattered.
“Full credit to the Swans, they were incredible. They just ran out of troops, ran out of legs and ran out of steam, but they should hold their heads high,” Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy.
"They were amazing, but Fremantle wanted it more and in the end they got there."
In the aftermath of Fremantle’s victory, flight prices from Perth to Melbourne surged to between $1,500 and $2,000 for a Friday arrival and Sunday return.
Virgin Australia then added 4,000 seats on flights between the two cities starting from Wednesday September 23.
A similar level of price gouging happened last week when it was confirmed Fremantle would play in Sydney.
The flights from Perth to Sydney jumped more than $660 after the Dockers won against Geelong.
Due to the increase in prices, Longmuir had said he felt sorry for fans after the win over the Cats.
