Sydney have staged another last-quarter comeback to defeat Port Adelaide by three points in a thrilling clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
The Power looked on track for an unlikely upset when they took a nine-point lead into the final quarter, but Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner stepped up with enormous last quarters to wrestle control back.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Rowbottom’s clutch play in dying minutes
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
The Swans were clinging onto a three-point lead with a few minutes left when they surged forward and James Rowbottom was the unlikely player in the right place as he roved a pack superbly before kicking the match-sealing goal.
Port Adelaide kept coming and set up a frantic finish when Jordon Sweet kicked truly to make the margin three points with just 37 seconds left.
However, there was no miracle finish for Port this time.
Charlie Curnow has kicked three goals in Sydney’s comeback win against Port in Adelaide. Credit: AAP
It’s the second time in a week the Swans have come from behind in the last quarter after Jai Serong kicked the match-winner to beat St Kilda last week.
The win takes Sydney to an imposing 12-2 record ahead of their bye next week. They are three wins clear of third place, and appear a lock for a top-two finish.
Heeney was once again brilliant with 30 touches and a goal, while Warner had 26 and a goal himself.
Up forward, Charlie Curnow and Logan McDonald kicked three goals apiece, and veteran Jake Lloyd bobbed up with two, including a cracking major in the final term.
Port’s acting captain Zak Butters (27 touches, one goal) and Joe Richards (23, one goal) were standouts, while Sweet, Mitch Georgiades and Corey Durdin slotted two majors each.
Unfancied Port (15th, four wins, nine losses) held a match-high 20-point break midway through the second term.
The Power’s initial half-dozen scoring shots were behinds, but they still took a four-point lead at quarter-time.
Port kicked the opening three goals of the second term to create a 20-point break and maintained a 15-point advantage at the long break.
Their mid-season draftee Xavier Bamert, on AFL debut, featured in two flashpoints in the third term.
The 19-year-old, plucked from North Melbourne’s VFL team, booted his first AFL goal eight minutes into the term.
But soon after, he gifted the Swans a goal: standing the mark, he misheard an umpire’s call and advanced on Riley Bice, who was given a 50m penalty and goaled.
Bice’s strike put his side two points down and star midfielder Isaac Heeney gave Sydney the lead minutes later with a classy long-range left-footer.
Heeney’s strike was the fourth major in an ominous dozen minutes for the Swans, but Port responded with two rapid goals to take a nine-point buffer into three-quarter time,
Flag fancies Sydney then booted four consecutive goals in the final term to turn their deficit into a 15-point lead.
But the Power again rallied with the next two majors to trail by three points with five minutes remaining before Rowbottom effectively sealed it.
— With AAP
Devastated star consoled after last-minute heartbreak
3 min read
Dean Solomon responds to latest Essendon coach twist
2 min read
