Fabulous win to Sydney who came home brilliantly in the last term to win comfortably in the end.
Disappointing for the Saints, who were luckless with injuries during the latter part of the season, and were found out with players clearly suspect fitness wise.
They're a brave side the Swans and there is no better side at riding its luck. Alas, I feel that's as far as it goes for the side, particularly as they will be without Hall for the big game next week.
I was really taken by O'Keefe, as I have been on numerous occasions this season, and felt he was easily best afield. Hall has played better games, and was a throwback to his old daft self with his needless punch on Maguire, but he did create a target for the Swans and will be sorely missed. Buchanan did a super job, as did Schneider in the last term. More than anything though, the Swans held the big trump card with their dominant ruck hand, which proved decisive on the night.
For the losers, I though Dal Santo was great in giving Luke Ablett a football lesson. Harvey also played well, and Gehrig never stopped trying. Goddard & Hudghton both gave what they could and Fiora did some nice things, but in the end they just missed key players and collapsed badly under the weight of suspect players being unable to run the game out. Ball was disappointing, and Hayes clearly not himself, but Guerra was easily the worst player on the field with his 1 possession shocker.
There'll be much to think about for the Saints over a long summer.
For Sydney, the immediate challenge will be preparing their case to save Hall. It would be inexcusable for the AFL to let Hall off given the line they've taken this season and the precedents that have been set. That being said, there's no way the AFL would want Sydney to take the field in a GF without Hall, so they may yet pull a patented AFL swifty.
hopefully theres a repeat on about 11pm ish.
