A series of simple missed shots cost the Swans dearly as they threatened to overrun the Giants in a gallant comeback in their elimination final, killing their victory chances in a pulsating one-point defeat in Launceston.
Gun Swans forward Isaac Heeney snared four goals in the second half as John Longmire‘s men closed from 23 points down at the half-time break.
But Will Hayward, Tom Hickey, Sam Wicks and James Bell all failed to slot final-term goals that should have been kicked, as the Swans, despite dominating the midfield battle after trailing by 19 points at three-quarter time, fell short.
Greater Western Sydney’s 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) win means they are now set to meet Geelong in a semi-final at Perth Stadium, in a clash likely to be held next Friday.
And as the Giants zero in on their do-or-die match against the Cats, the Swans will look back on a resurgent 2021 campaign and wonder what could have been.
The Swans completed a quick-fire rebuild this season, led by long-time stars Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Callum Mills, Tom Papley and Heeney, and electrified by young guns Errol Gulden, Tom McCartin, James Rowbottom, Oliver Florent, Nick Blakey and Sam Wicks.
But after packing their bags and making a frantic dash for Melbourne amid the COVID-19 chaos almost nine weeks ago, a season in which the young Swans have surprised the AFL world and filled Longmire with immense pride has rounded to a close.
Hayward missed the first gettable goal of the Swans’ tantalising last quarter when he swooped on the footy and tried to banana it through from close range, only to wrap a post.
Despite the string of missed shots that followed, hope of an epic Sydney win remained alive at a stoppage close to the 50-metre arc with less than 30 seconds left on the clock.
But GWS won the clearance, McCartin collected Giants ace Toby Greene high, a free kick was paid and the clock fizzled out.
The two biggest drawcards of the Sydney derby, Greene and Franklin, thrived in the finals clash.
While Greene – who could be suspended for the semi-final due to a bump on umpire Matt Stevic – finished the game with just 10 disposals, the firebrand Giant kicked three goals and was a continual source of inspiration for Leon Cameron’s charges.
Franklin collected 14 touches and booted three majors, all of which came in the opening half as the pundits dared to dream of the legendary forward reaching the 1000-goal barrier in the elimination final.
Fans will instead have to wait for Franklin, who’s finished the season on 995 career goals, to achieve what now looms as inevitable in the final season of his nine-year contract.
