Sydney have pulled off a fourth-quarter fightback for the ages to defeat GWS by six points in a thrilling AFL qualifying final. Trailing at every change, the minor premiers looked destined for defeat before Isaac Heeney launched from the centre box to make the scores level at 12.10 (82) at the SCG on Saturday. Joel Amartey, quiet all game, kicked the match-winner with less than three minutes on the clock to claim a gritty 13.10 (88) to 12.10 (82) victory in front of 43,189 fans.

John Longmire’s men will host a preliminary final in a fortnight, while the Giants face a semi-final against the winner of the Brisbane and Carlton elimination final later on Saturday. It is the first time the Swans have defeated their local rivals in September.

The ever-reliable Heeney was the hero for Sydney, kicking three goals, collecting 30 disposals and producing seven clearances. He also took an absolute screamer that could have been a contender for mark of the year, if it had not been in a final. Defender Jake Lloyd (one goal, 32 touches), Chad Warner (27 disposals, seven clearances) and Errol Gulden (23, five) also came to life in the final term.

Tom Papley, playing his first match since sustaining a medial ankle ligament injury in round 19, booted three goals for the Swans.

Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan had the Giants on-song early with two goals, before a desperate James Rowbottom made it seven points the difference at the first change.

After a quiet build-up to the match, tensions finally boiled over in an all-in melee when Giants skipper Toby Greene was too slow to give the ball over to Papley for an after-the-siren free kick. Papley then hit the scoreboard in the second term, but the Giants broke out to a 21-point lead after kicking three unanswered goals. The popular Swans forward could come under fire after making contact with GWS head of football Jason McCartney at half-time.

Spurred on by a determined Heeney, Sydney began to regroup in the third term. After claiming a spectacular mark on the back of Giants defender Jack Buckley, Heeney kicked his second of the match in a bid to lift his team. But another Hogan goal kept the Swans at bay. The home side’s woes continued when defender Tom McCartin dropped in on Lewis Melican as the latter attempted to mark the ball. Aaron Cadman easily swept up the dropped Sherrin for his third goal as Sydney coach Longmire watched on in frustration.

The Swans opened the final term with three successive goals, before Heeney levelled the scores.

Hogan was sensational for the Giants, terrorising the Swans defenders all game to kick three goals and take eight marks. Tom Green (32 disposals, 10 clearances) and Josh Kelly (27, six) did the heavy lifting through the middle for GWS, while young gun Cadman (three) was also electrifying up forward.

The Turning Point: A Spectacular Mark and a Surge of Momentum

The Giants had the answers for almost the entire afternoon, keeping their arch-rivals at arm’s length and maintaining what looked like a winning margin. At one stage they were 28-points clear. But a different Sydney side emerged in the third quarter. In the opening minute of the second half Isaac Heeney came from the clouds to take a mark of the year contender. It was the spark the Swans needed. They blazed three goals in quick succession. Even then the Giants kept their composure, kicking a couple of their own. But the red tide wouldn’t relent. They came again – and again. Finally they broke the GWS back three and, with under two minutes on the clock, swept past their hated foes leaving Joel Amartey to kick the match-winner.

A Nail-Biting Finish: The Swans Hold Their Nerve

The Giants weren’t dead yet. They won the restart and sent it in side 50. They’re right in front of goal but Sydney scramble it clear and again it’s Braeden Campbell who saves Sydney, banging it down the right flank. They’re not out of danger yet. The Giants send it back to the circle. But again the Swans clear. Campbell thumps it downfield to no one. GWS clear but it’s too late. They’ve sent the ball over the sideline!

Sydney come again! But Perryman marks for the Giants. It’s n ot enough. The Swans steal it back and send it long. Amartey chooses to bump rather than collect and it weorks. He beats his man, spins and regathers. Goals! Sydney in front!

It’s neck and neck! Buckley and Taylor combined again to repel another Sydney attack and Greene shows calm to get it past halfway. But here comes Heeney! He swerves, steps, surges into space. He’s miles out but there’s no one home back there. He launches. One bounce and it’s home! 82-all!

Campbell is everywhere. He won another ground ball then to spark a red wave. Heeney tapped it back in contact as the Swans flew inside 50. But the Giants rush a behind. They’re not out of trouble yet. Jordan wins it back but Taylor intercepts and finds Buckley. The Giants slow it down, sapping time from the clock – and hope from the Swans. One goal game!

The Swans respond! Jordan did brilliantly to keep a tumbling pill infield and he then scythed a missile kick infield where Campbell was waiting in space. Goal!

Ward goals for the Giants! What a kick that was. He was deep in the pocket but shrugged off Jordan’s attempted tackle and curved it through. He’s now 13.2 for the season!

The Swans Ride the Wave: A Home Preliminary Final Awaits

Sydney set up camp in the Giants red zone. Parker snaps but sends it askew. Rampe has moved upfield again and he heroically cleans up the restart. Lloyd finds McDonald who skids it infield to Campbell. But Sam Taylor steals it back for GWS. Now Coniglio roosts it high and long downfield. Blakey saves the day on the sideline but the Giants are pressing. Sydney need Grundy and Heeney back on the field pronto! Seven points the margin.

Can the Giants absorb those blows and find a response of their own? Not just yet. It’s all Sydney. Heeney collects a low ball and finds support. But there’s a turnover and GWS reverse the flow, move quickly into attack and a precision kick finds Lachie Ash within range. But he sends it wide and Sydney push back inside 50. The Giants look a little rattled. They’ve got the minor premiers applying ferocious pressure all over the park.

The SCG lights are on… and so are Sydney! This time it’s Grundy winning the restart and thumping it forward where Jake Lloyd swoops and finds himself in space. He sprints 40m before launching a low bouncing ball that splits the sticks from 60m out. Great goal!

Swans bounce back! And who else but the jumping jack Tom Papley. He’s the spark for Sydney and his mark and kick from 55m out brings the margin back to 14 points.

Leon Cameron can’t sit still on the sideline. For 10 years he led the Giants, now he’s wearing red as one of John Longmire’s Sydney brains trust. Poor Leon is wincing now. The Giants have drawn a free for a high tackle against Callum Mills and tey’ll make the Swans pay. A snapped goal returns the 21-point deficit.

What a spoil by Blakey! Sydney looked shot to pieces until the man they call The Lizard flew in and ruined what looked like a certain mark. Inspiring stuff from the moustachioed defender and it sparks a wave of Swans runners. They’re inside 50 in a flash and Ollie Florent finds Will Haywatrd in enough space. Goal!

The Swans emerged from the long break recharged and kicked two straight to get as close as they have been all day. But again the Giants held their nerve and responded in kind, delivering two goals of their own in as many minutes. Both sides continue to exchange words and shoves as they huddle up ahead of what will be a gripping final term. A home preliminary final is at stake. Which Sydbney side will grab it?