By Tim Stone reporting for the AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
The Swans have taken a decisive next step in their bid to claim their second consecutive Premiership. A one point thriller has seen Sydney beat West Coast in what has been hailed as one of the greatest Finals in recent years. Syndey earned themselves a home Preliminary Final and are now just one win away from another crack at the coveted trophy.
An enthralling battle took place between two quality teams that left nothing on the field, the lead changing 7 times from the last 7 goals before O’Loughlin was able to put the winning goal on the board in the dying minute of the game. In an era which is producing one of the most memorable rivalries for the ages, this match was a showcase for why the Swans and West Coast have joined the likes of the Brisbane Lions as the dominant teams of the 2000's. Sydney has prevailed once more in nail biting fashion, 1 point all that separated the 43,116 strong West Coast crowd from jubilation and eventual heartbreak.
Last season had seen West Coast and Sydney match up 3 times, with all 3 games decided by less than 4 points. It was this time last year Sydney had travelled to Perth for the 1st Qualifying Final, where poor umpiring decisions late in the game cost them the victory. This 1 point victory will serve as retribution for the mental anguish the Swans faithful had to endure to prevail as the 2005 champions. The Swans in 2006 have an easier run to the Grand Final, earning a week off and a home final to stake their claim at a second consecutive premiership.
The highest score either team had amassed in their previous 3 encounters was 58 points, posted by Sydney in the Grand Final. Low scoring and tight checking affairs -- this match was set to be no different.
Beau Waters opened up the match with a goal 4 minutes in to kick the game into action. Sydney were able to get involved with heavy possession early in the match but were unable to produce a goal from their efforts. Waters on the other hand was able to get a second goal under his belt as he proved to be the danger up forward early for ‘The Coasters’.
O’Loughlin put his lacklustre performance of the 2005 Grand Final behind him as he threaded through his first kick for a goal on a tough angle for the Swans, 19 minutes in. He repeated the Beau Waters dosage as he strung together his second goal in as many minutes to keep the Swan in touch. West Coast had dominated proceedings in the first quarter, yet Sydney only found themselves 2 points off the pace.
It was a late goal to Captain Kirk that separated the teams going into the quarter-time huddle. His goal was ill received by the overwhelming home town support, Kirk rewarded with a mark from a kick that had barely travelled the required 15 metres. His goal gave them a 6 point advantage into the first break.
Sydney threatened to break the game open with their momentum early in the second quarter. A meltdown by Wirrpunda in his return to the side from injury had made the threat a reality. Wirrpunda gave away the next 2 goals from uncharacteristically undisciplined plays, the first a 50 metre penalty awarded to O’Loughlin, the second a blatant push in the back against Hall. Both of the opportunities converted, and both hurt West Coast equally as much as the lead blowing out to 18 points.
Quinten Lynch was not putting his hand up to turn the tide for his squad, his next 2 attempts on goal from set shots went out of bounds on the full. Cousins and Judds work rate lifted to keep the side in the match, and eventually brought about Stakers mark and goal, bringing the margin back to 11 points.
Goodes got the Swans back on track as he goaled in a brilliant solo effort performance, giving Sydney back a 16 point buffer. A terrible umpiring decision at the other end quickly cancelled out his good work however, Stenglein receiving a free kick from his direct opponent in O’Keefe. He was unjustly rewarded for an altercation in the marking contest, replays revealing the decision should have gone the other way. It made no difference to Stenglein, as he steered it through the uprights.
10 points clear and late in the quarter Sydney went about protecting their fragile lead with plenty of numbers around the bounces, maintaining the ascendancy going into half time. A disciplined and methodical approach to the game paid off as Barry Hall nailed a goal from 50 metres out on the boundary line. Provided with little spaced to move due to the close proximity of the boundary fence, his goal was a crucial blow 1 second shy of half time. A short run up, a tight angle and a long kick were the elements that made his goal dangerously inspiring, as he gave the Swans a 15 point lead going into half time.
The Eagles were seemingly outplayed and outwitted by Paul Roo's boys, calling for coach John Worsfold to react by throwing his wild card Adam Hunter into the forward line. It paid insntant dividends, Hunter receiving a free kick for a push in the back in the square which he converted, followed a minute later with a by captain Chris Judd. His exicting dash into an open goal raised the score and the tempo of the match, swinging the momentum towards the West Coast outfit with 2 goals in quick succession.
The Swans replied with haste from the centre bounce as they tried to subdue a crowd that had sensed West Coast seizing control of the match. Hall's goal, however, was only a lull before the storm. Quinten Lynch goaled twice in quick succession for West Coast, followed by Adam Hunters second goal of the quarter coming from a spectacular mark in a star studded pack of players. His goal from 20 metres out put the Eagles in front by 2 points giving them their first taste of the lead since the 12th minute mark of the first quarter.
It was the start of the epic that saw 7 consecutive lead changes in which no team could kick back-to-back goals. Hall was left to stem the tide at the other end as he begun to stamp his authority over the man who is heavily fancied to be voted the 2006 All Australian Fullback, Darren Glass. Glass who had kept Hall quiet for the first half had begun to lose control over his combatant, as Hall goaled once more from 40 metres out. The lead was restored to ‘The Bloods’ who had been in front for the major portion of the game, and went into the final break 3 points the better.
Brett Staker and Ben Cousins combined for an early goal in the final quarter, a reward for their tireless efforts, keeping alive the seesawing affair. Schneiders body work to out-mark Wirrpunda at the other end kept the West Coast defenders nightmare Final alive. His goal restored a 3-point lead to Sydney with 11 minutes gone as time became of the essence.
The true superstars from both clubs took the game to another level as they stepped up in to match the game's intensity. Judd snapped truly for West Coast followed by Barry Hall goaling at the other end 2 minutes later. It was Barrys fifth, his last 3 goals coming in quick response to opposition goals. It had restrained a sell-out crowd from becoming jubilant for long periods of time, an atmosphere that has daunted visiting sides travelling to Subiaco.
Armstrong goaled for West Coast with the third goal in quick succession in the game, regaining the lead once more for his side. His roving around the pack inside 50 was carbon copy to Judds effort minutes earlier, the crowd jumping to their feet and celebrating, only to sit back down on the edge of their seat once more as the 21st minute came and went.
Sydneys were able to maintain their composure through this, and moved the ball from deep defence to attack in an exciting burst forward. It ended up with O’Loughlin at the back of the pack, as he ran onto the ball and into an open goal as the lead went back to Sydney by 2 points. It was to be the final lead change of the game. O’Loughlin stopped short of the crowd and screamed in jubilation as he pumped his fist in the air, face to face with the Eagles faithful behind the goals.
His goal was well into borrowed time, 28 minutes gone. Sydney managed to scramble the ball over the boundary line on centre wing from the bounce down, as they went about wasting the precious unknown seconds left on the clock. The ball was worked back out-of-bounds 3 times in a row before Sydney was able to take clean possession and move the ball forward. Pulses raised dangerously high as the clocked ticked past the 30th minute and the siren finally sounded to end one of the all time classic Finals encounters of recent, and indeed all time history.
The home crowd sat stunned, drained, and in disbelief as their side went down by 1-point to the reigning premiers in Sydney. There is seemingly nothing between these two teams, and on opposite sides of the finals draw, there will be no surprises if they once again meet in the Grand Final for glory in 2006.
WEST COAST: 2.3 4.6 9.9 12.12 (84)
SYDNEY: 3.2 7.3 10.6 13.7 (85)
GOALS – West Coast: (2) Lynch, Hunter, Waters, Judd, (1) Staker,
Stenglein, Cousins, Armstrong
Sydney: (5) Hall, (4) O'Loughlin, (2) Schneider, (1) Kirk, Goodes
INJURIES – West Coast: Chick (ankle)
Sydney: Nil
REPORTS - Chick reported by umpire McBurney for rough conduct on Malceski
UMPIRES - Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan
CROWD - 43,116 at Subiaco Oval
Article last changed on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 8:27 PM EDT
