I suppose this is the way it was meant to be – the best team of the home and away season defeating the second-best team of the home and away season and moving on to play in the Grand Final.
And in truth, the differences between the two teams were stark in this one, as one team appeared fresh after a week off, and the other looked like they had little left to give.
Whilst we can look to the accuracy of the Swans in the first half (Sydney kicked 9.1 to Port’s 4.6) as a huge factor in the game, it was the overall discipline of Sydney, the powerful run from half-back through the middle, and the ability to get back and shut down the Port forward entries that made the difference.
And once again, the highly-touted Port midfield failed to fire a shot in response.
Port had 13 centre clearances (+3) resulting in 0.1 for the game, as their long, high, and often aimless kicks inside 50 played right into the hands of Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican, Nick Blakey, and Tom McCartin. The Swans had a +8 advantage in the marks inside 50, as they continually lowered their eyes, whilst Port bombed it long and hoped.
Sydney also had this bloke named Isaac Heeney.
Slotting two goals of his own, and assisting on another, Heeney once again proved why he has been the most valuable player of the season, regardless of whose name appears on any of the major awards this year. When the Swans worked out that he had a mismatch, they would just kick it to their star, and he did not let them down.
He wasn’t THE difference – there were plenty of differences in this contest – but when Port asked questions of the Swans, Heeney answered emphatically.
You get the feeling Port may have played their Grand Final last week. The Swans sat back and watched the Power and the Hawks push each other to the limit, and with an extra week’s rest, appeared as though they were covering the ground better.
Port managed to have a couple of winners – Jordon Sweet got the better of Brodie Grundy in the ruck, and Ryan Burton was handy in defence, but when you line the teams up, finding winners for the visitors becomes a pretty difficult task.
Lots to get through in this one. Let’s jump into HB’s Loves and Hates.
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