Lance Franklin booted three goals in his return game from injury but it was Toby Greene who stole the show at the SCG on Saturday afternoon as the Giants star kicked a last-minute goal to sink the Swans by a solitary point.
The anguish of suffering their heaviest defeat in 25 years against Geelong last week prompted a much-needed response from the Swans who looked all but certain to run out winners deep into the fourth quarter.
Remarkably, Sydney led by 24 points with 13 minutes remaining. By the time Giants youngster Harry Perryman booted a long-range goal with six minutes remaining, it was a four-point game.
A Sydney behind still had the home side ahead 106-101. Enter Toby Greene.
His perfect right-foot snap with 45 seconds remaining put the Giants ahead by a point and after a late scramble, the visitors somehow got the job done to consign Sydney to a shock 107-106 loss.
Greene was outstanding for the Giants, kicking four goals to go with 22 disposals, while Tom Green (31 disposals) and Stephen Coniglio (28 disposals) helped the Giants get back into the contest when hope was all but lost.
Toby Greene celebrate his last-minute match-winning goal against the Swans at the SCG.Credit: Getty
Trailing 57-47 at half-time, Swans players vented their frustration as a heated scuffle broke out between two teams with a bitter rivalry.
The Swans, who won both derbies against the Giants last year, came out firing and hit the lead for the first time early in the third quarter.
John Longmire’s men piled on three straight goals and 21 unanswered points to swing momentum as Franklin and Will Hayward gave the Giants headaches at the back. Franklin, Hayward and Logan McDonald all kicked three goals.
Luke Parker, a proven performer in Sydney derbies, registered 10 disposals in the first quarter and finished with 33. His fourth quarter goal from 45 metres out had Sydney fans roaring before Greene’s late goal broke their hearts.
Swans and Giants players scuffle just before half-time.Credit: Getty
Franklin’s return from a knee injury in the 25th ‘Battle of the Bridge’ was sorely needed, following last week’s horrible 93-point loss to Geelong, and there were flashes of brilliance from the veteran.
There was, however, a telling moment for Franklin early in the second quarter that caught the eye of commentators. When Matt Flynn hand-balled off to Giants skipper Coniglio, Franklin was close enough to make a tackle and smother the kick at goal. Instead, Coniglio zipped around the 36-year-old with ease and booted a six-pointer.
Isaac Heeney flies over Nick Haynes.Credit: Getty Images
“18 months ago, Lance Franklin does not miss that tackle,” said AFL great Dermott Brereton in commentary for Fox.
Franklin proceeded to nail a beautiful goal from the 50-metre arc to liven the local crowd but had them scratching their head when he kicked another set shot out of bounds.
Despite being heavily marked, Franklin found time and space in a pleasing return that Longmire will hope is a sign of big things on the horizon.
Franklin (1054) now needs three goals to draw level with Doug Wade in fourth spot on the all-time VFL/AFL goal-kicking list.
Less than two minutes into the contest, Giants first-gamer Toby Bedford bagged his maiden goal for the club with a simple set shot courtesy of some lovely service from Greene, who was busy and effective all match, right until the moment his side needed him most.
The Giants capitalised on some ill-discipline from the Swans – and a wayward set shot in front of goal from Isaac Heeney – before Peter Ladhams came up with Sydney’s first goal 13 minutes into the first quarter.
GWS took a five-point lead into quarter-time and increased that out to 10 by the main break despite Sydney finding their groove.
Swans: 3.2 7.5 13.9 16.10 (106)
GWS: 4.1 9.3 12.3 17.5 (107)
VOTES
Toby Greene (Giants) 9
Luke Parker (Sydney) 8
Lance Franklin (Sydney) 8
Will Hayward (Sydney) 8
Stephen Coniglio (Giants) 8
BEST
Swans: Franklin, Parker, Ladhams, Hayward, McDonald
Giants: Greene, Green, Perryman, O’Halloran, Coniglio, Green, Kelly
GOALS
Swans: Franklin 3, McDonald 3, Hayward 3, Warner, Parker, Papley, McLean, Ladhams, Gulden, Clarke
GWS: Greene 4, Perryman 3, O’Halloran 2, Hogan 2, Coniglio 2, Himmelberg, Daniels, Cadman, Bedford
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