“They’re going to be shattered”: Roos almost pull off upset of the year but Swans too good in thriller
North Melbourne has fallen heartbreakingly short of what was bound to be the biggest upset of 2022, Sydney showing their class and experience to score an 11-point win in the most dramatic circumstances.
The Roos led for plenty of the game and showed heart when snatching the lead back in the third term. They also had the advantage for the majority of the final term, but inexperience ultimately cost the young side in the dying seconds.
Former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson believes North Melbourne players will be shattered by the defeat, saying the narrow loss is “not enough”.
“It shows to their fans that the future still is bright,” he said in commentary for AFL Nation.
“(But) they’re going to be shattered.
“They’re going to drive to the airport tonight and they’re going to be shattered.
“The Kangaroos have to make sure they learn from this defeat. They were brave and there will be a lot of pride from their fans, but it’s not enough.”
There were plenty of crazy moments in the final ten minutes, Sam Reid fumbling what should have been a certain goal with six minutes to play when missing his boot in the goal square one for the lowlight reels.
The eventual point evened the contest at 74 apiece, setting up a grandstand finish.
“You can’t believe it!” Andy Maher said in commentary for AFL Nation.
Then just minutes later, after Sydney had snatched the lead back but the Roos were pressing hard, Atu Bosenvulagi had won a 50 metre penalty with less than a minute to go.
In the middle of the ground, he inexplicably kicked to ruckman Todd Goldstein, who fumbled the ball.
That was all it took, the Swans smashing them on the turnover and Isaac Heeney icing the cake.
Heeney was instrumental in Sydney overcoming the deficit, the young Swan earning plenty of praise from Sanderson post-match for his 17-disposal, 10-tackle, two-goal game.
“He’s been the most influential player on the ground after half time… this young man has changed the game for the Swans,” Sanderson said after the final goal.
“That young man has willed his team over the line today.”
Two master moves from David Noble were ultimately behind what was almost a famous victory. Jack Ziebell was swung forward in a change from his usual defensive positions, however the decision had plenty of merit when Ziebell walked off with five goals to his name.
The Roos skipper had a presence and his goal sense was remarkable, a no-look handball in the final term to allow Kayne Turner to stroll into an open goal a vital moment.
Noble also got the best out of Jaidyn Stephenson, no small feat given the former Pie’s history.
Stephenson was dropped after a disappointing performance in Round 1 against the Hawks before being recalled against Round 3, and the 23-year-old played one of his best games for the Roos with 24 disposals and, importantly, eight tackles on Saturday.
It’s certainly surprising to AFL fans that the first pick of the 2021 National Draft, Jason Horne-Francis, wasn’t nominated as a Rising Star through the first three rounds given his impressive form, however the 18-year-old might only have to wait until Monday for his turn.
Horne-Francis was among the best on the field, not because of his disposal numbers, but for how he used the footy, a trait commonly identified before he was drafted to the Roos.
While he didn’t hit the scoreboard, Horne-Francis looked like the most seasoned player on the field with 23 disposals and 11 contested possessions.
However, all the headlines will be about the Roos’ blowing what was almost a huge upset at the SCG, Noble’s men missing out on a big chance to ease the pressure on the struggling club.
FULL SCORE
Sydney: 3.2, 6.4, 9.6, 13.8. (86)
North Melbourne: 4.0, 6.1, 11.1, 12.3 (75)
GOALS
Sydney: Bell 2, Franklin 2, McLean 2, Hayward, Ronke, Reid, Warner, Heeney, McInerney
North Melbourne: Ziebell 5, Goldstein 2, Xerri, Zurhaar, Turner, Simpkin
BEST
Sydney: Mills, McInerney, Florent, Heeney, Campbell
North Melbourne: Stephenson, Simpkin, Ziebell, Horne-Francis, Goldstein
INJURIES
Sydney: Franklin (Finger) replaced by Ben Ronke.
North Melbourne: Zurhaar (Head knock), replaced by Aiden Bonar