Blues let Sydney slip away

SYDNEY has banked a fourth straight AFL win, overcoming stern resistance from cellar dwellers Carlton to prevail by 30 points in a scrappy clash at the SCG.

The Blues gave travelling fans hope of a boilover by booting the opening two goals last night then kept the Swans under pressure to boast an unexpected one-point lead at halftime.

The Swans busted the game open by kicking five goals to zip in the third term, eventually triumphing 13.13 (91) to 9.7 (61).

Lance Franklin managed three goals, having been one of many Sydney stars who struggled to find space, while both sides were guilty of butchering the ball and frustrating their own forwards with poor service and needless turnovers.

Isaac Heeney collected the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal, awarded to the Swans’ best player in the Marn Grook fixture that launched the league’s Indigenous round.

Franklin obliterated Carl- ton during the sides’ previous clash, booting 10 goals in the final round of last year. But Blues backmen Sam Rowe and Liam Jones, who was crunched by friendly fire during a thirdquarter collision with Jacob Weitering, this time combined to keep Franklin relatively quiet.

Franklin’s frustration showed in the first quarter when he walked over the boundary line then threw the ball at the face of Rowe; the power forward argued his case but the misdeed remained one of three free kicks he gave away on the night.

The work ethic of the Curnow brothers, Sam Kerridge, Jack Silvagni and Jones kept the visitors in the contest before the wheels came off during the third term.

The low point came when Carlton veteran Dale Thomas bizarrely handballed the Sherrin to Kieren Jack, with the Swans rushing the ball down the other end for Franklin to kick his second goal.

Swans vice-captain Dan Hannebery had a quiet night in his 200th match. Sydney next faces St Kilda.