AFL Finals 2024: Brisbane look for redemption as Carlton bring back reinforcements for final

“We’re not winning many contests.”

Callum Mills sums it up pretty well for the Swans. Without that Heeney goal, they would be really starting down the barrel. The Giants’ big forwards have dominated the contest and the Swans cannot get any transition game going.

Still the margin is only 21 points so they will hope they can reset to come out firing in the second half.

Jake Lloyd, Josh Kelly and Tom Green the leading possession-getters with 17.

For once the Swans are able to force a turnover as Logan McDonald finds Papley who goes to Heeney inside 50 who takes an incredible one-handed grab which is the Swans’ first mrk inside 50. He nails the goal to fire up the Swans’ supporters.

Luke Parker is unlucky to not be awarded the mark after the Swans try so hard to breakthrough the Giants’ defensive web. GWS go up the wing through Hogan and Cadman wins a holding free to have a set shot from 45m out. It sails through and it’s a 28-point margin.

The Swans finally win a contest but the kick from Gulden goes to the feet of Hayward. But he’s good enough to pick it up cleanly and it’s a magnificent finish that the Swans desperately needed.

It’s seven inside 50’s to two this quarter and the Swans cannot get their hands on the football. Make that eight as Blakey gives away a blocking free kick to Aaron Cadman who slots his first from 30m out.

It’s a 27-point margin and the Swans are in real trouble.

Chad Warner gives away a free on Greene for a high tackle. The Giants lock the ball in theri forward 50. A rebound kick form Himmelberg goes over the contest and Lachie Keith slips out the back to kick one out of mid-air to push the margin to 19 points.

What a time to get your first goal of the year.

Melican drops a mark in the goal square he should have taken and Nick Blakey panics to fire away a dangerous handball which Callan Ward cleans up and snaps to restore the Giants’ buffer.

The small forward is getting under the skin of the Giant’s defenders as he wins a free kick in the pocket from a high tackle. His snap around the corner is perfect and the margin is back to seven.

Darcy Jones is back out on the field after copping a hit they left him winded in the first quarter. He works the ball to Toby McMullin who is perhaps slightly fortuitous to receive a free kick for a high tackle from Melican. He makes no mistake from directly in front to put the Giants up by 13.