Hawks edge Swans in thriller
A CLUTCH captain’s goal from Jarryd Roughead delivered Hawthorn a six- point win over AFL rivals Sydney on Friday night at the SCG.
Roughead converted his set shot with 80 seconds remaining as the Hawks triumphed 12.9 ( 81) to 11.9 ( 75).
The visitors looked to be on track for a more comfortable victory earlier in the game, but the Swans launched a barnstorming comeback during the third quarter.
Sydney led by seven points late in the final term after kicking five consecutive goals, a run that Lance Franklin started with a trademark showstopper from outside the 50m arc.
Shaun Burgoyne, who slotted his second astonishing goal of the night, and Roughead ensured there was one final twist.
Franklin, who booted five goals, was awarded the Goodes- O’Loughlin medal for best on ground.
Franklin and Burgoyne were both wearing No. 67 to recognise the 50th anniversary of the referendum that was a landmark achievement for indigenous Australians. Both stepped up superbly in the Indigenous Round.
Franklin moves to 10th on the list of VFL/ AFL goalkickers after lifting his career tally to 819.
Franklin also dished off a handful of goals, while his pressure acts were also influential in the Swans’ stirring third- quarter fightback.
The Swans, coming off consecutive six- day breaks, rallied despite having only two fit men on the bench.
Jake Lloyd was knocked out early in the first quarter, while Sam Reid also failed a concussion test after being slung to the ground by Burgoyne during the second.