Fans' standing ovation leaves Swans stars in tears after stirring win

By Chris De Silva

By Michael Doyle

By Marnie Vinall

Topic:AFL

Sydney Swans players have been brought to tears after the men's and women's sides won on Sunday following a tumultuous week for the club.

The double-header at the SCG was overshadowed by a scandal that has engulfed the club, resulting in five men's team players — Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon — being stood down for breaching team standards.

The women's side, in front of a club-record AFLW crowd of 16,672 fans, defeated Essendon by 24 points, before the men's side downed North Melbourne by 53 points.

Swans fans show their support with a standing ovation after the match against North Melbourne. (GEtty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Several fans outside the SCG said they were torn about whether to walk out before the men's game, while others said they hoped today's games would be a chance to unify the club.

The threat of a walkout before the men's match over the scandal failed to eventuate in large numbers, with the players receiving a standing ovation at full-time of the AFL match.

Veteran Swans defender Dane Rampe was seen shedding tears at full-time, as many players were overcome with emotion after the poor week.

Swans veteran Dane Rampe was one of several Swans players left emotional at the final siren. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Matt King)

"I'm so grateful for our fans for sticking with us," Swans captain Callum Mills told Fox Footy.

"They do it for us every week, but this week felt extra special.

"They've [the replacement players] been amazing. The whole footy club is amazing.

"We spoke about it as a team. We have a system that we believe in and anyone who comes in will do the job, and today was proof of that. Bring on finals."

Hawthorn dominated West Coast in the late game to finish fourth on the AFL ladder, but they could not win by enough to leapfrog the Brisbane Lions into third.

The Hawks needed to win on Sunday night to ensure a top-four finish, and guarantee the double-chance in finals.

Heading into the match, the Hawks needed to beat West Coast by around 90 points to finish third, and set up a qualifying final in Sydney against the Swans.

But their 62-point win means they will head back to Perth in two weekend's time to face minor premiers Fremantle.

In Sunday's opening match, Essendon lost to Port Adelaide in a heartbreaker at Docklands, locking in its place on the bottom of the ladder.

Relive all the action from Sunday in the blog below.

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By Michael Doyle

This brings an end to ABC Sport's live coverage of today's AFL action.

We will be back for the wildcard weekend as the finals begin.

We hope you join us then.

Goodnight.

By Michael Doyle

— reporting by AAP

Jack Gunston kicked five goals in his 300-game milestone and Nick Watson took a spectacular mark of the year contender as Hawthorn's bid to snare third spot fell just short in a 62-point win over West Coast in Perth.

Hawthorn entered Sunday night's match needing to win in the vicinity of 90-100 points in order to leapfrog Brisbane into third spot.

That would have meant the Hawks (15-6-2) would face the decimated Swans in Sydney in the first qualifying final instead of minor premiers Fremantle in Perth.

Things were looking good for Hawthorn when they skipped out to an 83-25 lead midway through the third quarter following Watson's moment of magic.

Aptly nicknamed The Wizard, Watson leapt onto the shoulders of Liam Baker and pushed off powerfully with his legs to take a spectacular mid-air mark before crashing to the turf.

In the immediate aftermath, Baker and Watson smiled at each other in disbelief as they soaked up the moment, with Watson giving his opponent a hug after nailing the shot.

But the wet and slippery conditions meant Hawthorn always faced an uphill battle to push the margin towards triple figures, with the Hawks forced to eventually settle for a 16.11 (107) to 6.9 (45) win in front of 43,066 fans at Perth Stadium.

Hawthorn still finished fourth, earning a finals double chance for the first time since 2018.

Watson, who was worn like a glove by Brandon Starcevich for most of the match, finished with three goals and a goal assist, but hurt his left hand after being bumped into the fence by Bo Allan on the stroke of three-quarter time.

Hawthorn played it safe by resting Watson for the entire final term.

The Hawks may also have to monitor co-captain Jai Newcombe in the coming days after the back of his head slammed into the ground following a sling tackle by Harley Reid in the final quarter.

Reid will miss the start of next season if he is suspended over the incident, but playing in his favour is the fact Newcombe was allowed back onto the field following a concussion assessment.

Gunston's four first-half goals broke West Coast's spirits and was a perfect way to celebrate his milestone game.

Milan Murdock kicked three goals from 23 disposals for the Eagles, but there was little else to smile about for the hosts, who finish a disappointing campaign with a 4-19 record and an 11-game losing run.

Gunston started his milestone match in grand style, nailing a set shot in the opening minute en route to three goals for the first term.

Hawthorn's ability to run and spread meant Gunston had an acre of space to take uncontested marks in the forward 50m.

The Hawks' 37-8 lead at quarter-time probably would have been even bigger had two downpours not made the ball so slippery.

Gunston was gifted his fourth goal when the ball fell in his lap following a dropped mark to Bo Allan in the goalsquare.

Hawthorn flirted several times with the 15-goal margin needed to leapfrog their way into third spot, but in the end the task proved too hard in the wet.

By Michael Doyle

— reporting by AAP

Forward Nell Morris-Dalton has shown Carlton selectors that they made a worthwhile decision to salvage her AFLW career, as she dazzled in a 27-point victory over Adelaide.

Morris-Dalton booted three goals for the Blues (2-0) at Ikon Park to help last year's preliminary finalists remain undefeated with a 7.8 (50) to 3.5 (23) win.

The performance comes after she was delisted by Collingwood at the end of last season and missed the initial cut for Carlton's top-flight team after moving to their VFLW side.

But the 25-year-old was handed a lifeline when midfielder Maddy Guerin ruptured her ACL and on Sunday the injury replacement showed coach Mathew Buck that she deserves to be a mainstay.

Morris-Dalton also tallied 18 disposals, and alongside midfielders Erone Fitzpatrick (30 disposals) and Dayna Finn (28 disposals) the trio were instrumental in helping the Blues keep their seven-year winning streak against the Crows intact.

Carlton started hot, and their efforts were rewarded when midfielder Claudia Whitford booted the opening goal from 45 metres.

The Blues held their opponents to just one major at half-time, but Adelaide flicked a switch in the third quarter to close the deficit to 13 points at the final break.

Carlton forward Darcy Vescio slotted a crucial goal early in the fourth quarter, before Morris-Dalton scored her third major to ice the victory.

Adelaide midfielders Ebony Marinoff (30 disposals, four clearances) and Madison Newman (30 disposals, one goal) were busy, but it wasn't enough as the Crows (0-2) remained winless.

At Alberton Oval, Hawthorn shrugged off a sluggish start by storming home to claim a 5.3 (33) to 10.5 (65) win over Port Adelaide.

After finishing in the top-four at the end of the home-and-away season last year, the Hawks were on the precipice of starting their season 0-2 as they trailed by 19 points late in the second period.

But forward Laura Stone notched a double and Aine McDonagh slotted her own major to spark the visitors into life.

Hawthorn then kicked six of the next seven goals to complete the comeback, leaving Port - who conceded just two majors last round - utterly stunned.

Ruck Lucy Wales was typically inspirational for the Hawks (1-1), registering 23 disposals, 19 hitouts and a goal, while Poppy Stockwell and McDonagh posted three majors each.

Midfielder Maria Moloney (20 disposals, 14 tackles) and young ruck Matilda Scholz (24 disposals, 35 hitouts) were standouts for the Power (1-1).

Key Event

By Michael Doyle

Key Event

By Michael Doyle

Hawthorn has dominated West Coast in the late game to finish fourth on the AFL ladder, but they could not win by enough to leapfrog the Brisbane Lions into third.

The Hawks needed to win on Sunday night to ensure a top-four finish, and guarantee the double-chance in finals.

Heading into the match, the Hawks needed to beat West Coast by around 90 points to finish third, and set up a qualifying final in Sydney against the Swans.

But their 62-point win means they will head back to Perth in two weekend's time to face minor premiers Fremantle.

By Michael Doyle

It is a nice way to finish the season.

Harley Reid picks up a loose ball inside forward 50, and he snaps around the body for a lovely goal.

WCE 45

HAW 107

By Michael Doyle

Jack Gunston takes a mark and converts the set shot.

This is his fifth goal of the match.

The Hawks need four goals in four minutes, and not to concede a goal, to finish third.

By Michael Doyle

The Hawks are going for it, throwing the ball forward as quickly as they can.

The Hawks kept the ball alive around the forward 50 arc.

Will Day charged onto a handpass and landed a long-range shot.

WCE 39

HAW 99

By Michael Doyle

Jai Newcombe is awarded a free kick, after being slung to the ground in a dangerous tackle by West Coast's Harley Reid.

Newcombe takes a moment to compose himself, appearing to hit his head on the ground, and nails the set shot from 50.

WCE 38

HAW 91

By Michael Doyle

Well done, West Coast.

They worked the ball into the forward 50, after an energetic start to the final term.

Jack Williams, off one step, nails a lovely snap from a wide angle.

WCE 37

HAW 85

Key Event

By Michael Doyle

Hawthorn currently leads West Coast 85-31.

In this final quarter, we will be watching the margin to see if Hawthorn can jump from fourth to third.

If they finish fourth, they will be in Perth in two weeks for a qualifying final against Fremantle.

If they are able to smash West Coast, the can leapfrog the Lions into third and set up a final against the Swans in Sydney.

Here is a rough guide to what Hawthorn will need to score tonight:

Key Event

By Michael Doyle

That brings the third quarter to an end.

Hawthorn continued its command of the match, but probably did not hit the scoreboard as often as they would have liked.

By Michael Doyle

The Eagles are able to hold the ball for an extended period of time.

Milan Murdock was taken out of the contest and awarded the free kick from deep inside the forward 50.

Murdock snapped around the body, and kicked his third goal of the match.

WCE 31

HAW 83

Key Event

By Michael Doyle

Hawthorn's Nick Watson has taken an absolute screamer.

He leapt onto the back of Liam Baker, hung in the air for an age, and took the mark above his head.

It was a special mark. It is a Mark of the Year contender.

And Watson goes back to nail the set shot.

WCE 25

HAW 83

By Michael Doyle

Lovely play from the Hawks.

They have been putting the Eagles under enourmous pressure, and deserved a second goal in the opening eight minutes of this quarter.

Will Day took a mark on the 50 arc, but was hit late by West Coast's Liam Baker.

Day was awarded a 50-metre penalty and kicked the goal from point-blank-range.

WCE 25

HAW 77

By Michael Doyle

It is a fast start for the Hawks in the second half.

Mabior Chol forced a turnover with a strong hit on West Coast's Brandon Starcevich.

It allowed the Hawks to kick into forward 50, and Mitch Lewis was paid the chest mark and kicked the simple set shot.

WCE 25

HAW 70

By Michael Doyle

An excellent half from Hawthorn comes to an end.

They have kicked 10 goals. and defended wonderfully to smother the West Coast Eagles.

Jack Gunston has four goals, while Nick Watson and Max Beattie have a pair each.

The Hawks have a 39-point lead, with about a 90-point margin needed to leapfrog the Lions into fourth.

They are going pretty well, so far.

By Michael Doyle

Lovely from the West Coast Eagles.

Jake Waterman takes a good chest mark as the half-time siren sounds.

He has a set shot from in front, after a tough year for him kicking at goal.

But Waterman nails the shot.

WCE 25

HAW 64

By Michael Doyle

It is 10 first half goals for the Hawks.

They have kicked four goals on the trot, and they are really flying.

More forward -half pressure earned the turnover, then a succession of handballs led to a long kick to Nick Watson inside the forward 50.

Watson snaps around the body for his set shot.

WCE 17

HAW 64

By Michael Doyle

Max Beattie has a second goal in this quarter.

Beattie made a nice run into the forward 50, and Dylan Moore produced a lovely kick to hit him on the chest for the mark.

Beattie, in wet conditions, nails the set shot.

WCE 17

HAW 57

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