Swans Snatch Thriller

The incredible rivalry between West Coast and Sydney has continued, with the Swans winning a thriller by five points at Subiaco Oval last night.

Sydney came back from a six-goal half-time deficit to kick ten of the last thirteen goals of the match to win 12.11(83) to 11.12(78).

Jude Bolton kicked a goal which put the Swans ahead for the first time in the match with under two minutes remaining, after he won a free-kick from a high Adam Hunter tackle.

The Eagles didn't have enough time to recover and Sydney celebrated an unlikely comeback victory in front of almost 39,000 fans at Subiaco Oval.

All this after the hosts had a six goal to none first quarter with on-ballers Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox starting brightly for the Eagles, with the former booting two early goals.

Sydney fought back in the second term to stem the flow but failed to narrow the margin which had grown to 36 points at the main break.

But a goalless third quarter for the Eagles concerned the local fans and with good reason as the Swans rallied. Sydney booted four third-term goals to get themselves within striking distance of an unlikely victory, with the man with the most-famous knee in AFL, Nick Malceski, particularly impressive.

The Swans had narrowed the margin to just 14 points at the final break, but the Eagles struck first in the last term through David Wirrpanda.

Sydney midfielders Jarrad McVeigh and Adam Goodes were stand-outs as they again worked hard to close the gap between the sides as both teams traded goals.

The Swans finally broke the trend of goal-for-goal in the last, to get a run-on and when Goodes set up Malceski for a major, the visitors were within a kick.

The final moments of the match were incredibly tense highlighted by an edgy piece of play by the Eagles close to Sydney's goal as they tried desperately not to rush a point. It was typical of the rivalry which has built up between these clubs over the last few years.

In the end though, it would be the Swans today who would be victorious after Hunter's indiscretion and Bolton's calmness under pressure.

Sydney now maintain their press for a top four berth this season while for the Eagles, despite an improved performance this week, it seems this may be a dismal season for their fans.

Sydney 0.4 2.7 6.9 12.11.83
West Coast 6.1 8.7 8.11 11.12.78
Sydney goals; Kirk 2, McVeigh 2, Bevan 2, Malceski 2, Bolton 2
best; Malceski, Goodes, Kirk, McVeigh, Kennelly
West Coast goals; Staker 2, Kerr 2, Wirrpanda 2
best; Lynch, Kerr, Embley, Butler
Crowd; 38,802 at Subiaco Oval