Fremantle have completed a remarkable preliminary final comeback against Sydney, advancing to the AFL grand final with a victory that left the Swans shattered.
The Dockers’ surge to the decider came days after ruckman Luke Jackson underlined his status as one of the game’s premier big men, producing a devastating performance against Geelong in an earlier final. That display set up the preliminary final clash with Sydney, where Fremantle again found a way to win when it mattered most.
Sydney will be left to rue what was a dominant position, with the Swans having looked on track for another grand final appearance before Fremantle’s late charge. The comeback has been described as insane, with the Dockers breaking Sydney hearts in front of a packed crowd.
The result means Fremantle progress to the season’s biggest game, while Sydney’s campaign ends in agonising circumstances. The Swans will now face an extended off-season of questions about how they surrendered such a commanding lead on the biggest stage before the grand final.