The Sydney Swans have broken an eleven game, seven-year voodoo losing streak against Collingwood, securing their Grand Final appearance by twenty-six points infront of 57,156 at ANZ Stadium.
Amongst the celebration of Jude Bolton’s three-hundredth game and the battle of the Reids and Shaws, the Swans were strong defensively and attacked early putting the pressure on the Collingwood defence. While Jolly led in the ruck for the Magpies, the suffocating defensive play of the Swans; performances by Smith and Johnson kept a shaky Collingwood to two lonely goals.
With the momentum on Sydney’s side Lewis Jetta provided for the highlights reel, bursting away from Nathan Brown down the ground and to the goals in a Usain Bolt manner, leaving the home crowd on their feet.
Having their flowing footy style cut off by an impressive Sydney midfield, Cloke and a heavily strapped Dawes had to win their own ball with the usual high possession culprits, Swan, Wellingham and Beams unable to make a significant impact going forward. The only thing keeping the Pies in the game, missed opportunities and inaccuracy by the Swans in the second half.
A calm Sydney outfit managed to keep the footy in their control with Jetta and Kennedy, helping the Swans keep a healthy lead over an outperformed Collingwood, the only goals late in the third term coming from Swan and Chris Tarrant.
The Magpies came out fighting in the final stanza with Cloke kicking his third and Goldsack reducing the difference to twenty points only to have the Swans regain power in the short-lived arm wrestle. A talking point was a decision made by umpire Chelsea Roffey a touched behind, robbing Sydney of what looked like a goal.
Sydney’s pressure all over the ground was the match winning factor in shutting down the star Magpie midfield.
With Collingwood’s lost confidence and Sydney’s classy display in all four quarters, the Magpies were unable to give retiring and respected veteran Chris Tarrant the flag he so badly craved.
The only sour note of the night for Sydney going into their next Grand Final since 2006, possible knee niggles to Ted Richards. Richards went off in the first quarter but came back on in the second and played out the rest of the game well in defence, disproving any serious damage.
Sydney’s Premiership opponent will be decided in tomorrow’s clash between the Hawks and the Crows.
Sydney 13.18 (96) Collingwood 10.10 (70)
About Danielle Eid
Im 23, cute and most importantly im the Collingwood Football Club's very own PRINCESS!! :) A Latrobe Uni graduate from Bachelor of Journalism. Admirer of Samantha Lane and Jon Ralph. Not your typical 'Robot Journalist' Loves Alex Fasolo
Danni, next year we will have much more depth. Tonight proved that we can no longer rely on Jolly to carry us. Great career Taz, all the best!
Collingwood were very flat. Out of juice, zip etc. There were two players who should never be given the honour of wearing the black and white stripes again. One has been mentioned as trade bait, the other should try and get on an A-League list.
Lord Bogan I agree, this year the team was underdone. Based on all the injuries and contract drama to have made it a game away from the big one is an amazing achievement by Nathan Buckley in his first year. In reality we should have lose from last week against the Eagles.
Bring on 2013 bigger,better,stronger!
Skip- flat is the perfect description.
In reference to the two players, ouch lol
So sad Taz couldn’t have a premiership send off but as they say, it just wasn’t meant to be!
Great report Danni, summed it up really well. Collingwood just weren’t good enough and the Swans were ‘on’ all night!
Mist of the time there appeared to be a predominance of Sydney jumpers around the ball, never a good sign that this is going to be an even game.
Jolly had Cox and Naitanui and then a six day break.Being doubled by Mumford and Pyke ,although Mike has trouble getting airborne, kept his effectiveness pretty low.