AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG
The Sydney Swans are still alive in season 2025 after a thrilling 11-point win over Fremantle on Sunday.
But their 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win has come at a cost with Joel Amartey (groin) limping off in the dying stages and Tom Papley (hamstring) subbed out at half time.
It's another painful close loss for the Dockers, who missed the finals last year after several narrow defeats.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Sydney led from start to finish, as Freo's tough record against the Swans rolls on with a sixth loss in their last eight games.
The Swans were out by 20 points in the third term before the Dockers found their fight through big man Luke Jackson (13 disposals, two goals) who kicked truly after the three quarter time siren.
Injured star Tom Papley with Isaac Heeney after the win over Fremantle. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)
Docker Jye Amiss had multiple chances to close the gap in the final term but blew them.
When Michael Frederick put his running shot out on the full in the dying stages, Sydney were able to hang on for the win.
Fremantle's top eight hopes now hang in the balance, but for Sydney they stay alive in season 2025, although coach Dean Cox is sweating on his latest injuries.
'We need to work out the extent of that (Papley's injury) and the same with Amartey late in the game,' he said.
'We'll see throughout the next couple of days how that settles, get some scans and the results will come from that.'
Their 11-point win at the SCG was set up on the back of a first half midfield 'bashing'.
At half time, the Swans nailed five goals to none from centre clearance in worrying signs for Freo coach Justin Longmuir.
'They've been so dominant – plus-13 for clearance but in particular their centre bounce work, five goals from centre bounce,' Fox Footy's Alastair Lynch said.
'It is the mechanics of the four that are in there,' Dermott Brereton added.
'When (Brodie) Grundy is in there predominantly, they are having the first look, the first touch, the first clearance, first possession. It's predominantly going Sydney's way.
'That's the difference in the game as it stands.'
Brodie Grundy was given the massive task of taking on Freo's tag team of Sean Darcy and Jackson.
Brodie Grundy (left) was a standout again for the Swans. (Photo by)
But Sydney's 'shining light' delivered in another outstanding performance.
'He's like a man possessed,' Fox Footy's Dwayne Russell said. 'He's a different man Brodie Grundy this last month and a bit.
'He did finish fourth in the best and fairest last year.'
Statistics showed Grundy has leapt into the #11 ranked player in the AFL – up from the #95 he was ranked for the first six rounds.
By full time, Grundy racked up 20 disposals, 33 hit-outs and a goal in a stellar performance.
The Swans have shown vast improvement since the likes of Errol Gulden returned, but Cox will be hoping for some good news on the injury front ahead of next week's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium.
Originally published as Swans' slim finals hopes still alive but injuries strike again in Freo win
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
13 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Make his family proud': Maroons vow to honour Munster family, Cameron expected to return for Origin decider
Maroons hooker Harry Grant says the best way for the team to support Cameron Munster is 'with our performance and preparation' as the Queensland camp rallies around the skipper after his father died last week. The champion five-eighth is spending time with his family as they grieve Steven Munster's death, with the Storm star set to fly to Sydney to rejoin his teammates ahead of the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. 'It is a tough time for Cam, his immediate family, extended family and everyone in camp,' Grant said. 'But I think the best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him, and ultimately the best way we can support him right now is with our performance and with our preparation. 'It hits everyone hard. You don't know what's around the corner, so you've got to be nice and present and take in the moments that you have. 'It's a beautiful family and I had plenty of moments with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family.' No one could have begrudged Munster if he'd chosen not to play in Sydney given what had happened, but the Maroons skipper has made it clear he wants to play as his side looks to win back the shield. 'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family, and Steve would love to see him out there in the Maroon captaining his state,' Grant said. 'I think it's very brave the way he's handling the situation, but we have to respect the way he's handling it and respect the way he's doing things and give him the time and space to flick the mind back to the Queensland Maroons and Origin. 'It's a show of character to Cameron but also his family. We have to respect what he's going through, but we know he wants to lace the boots up and wear the Maroon and make his family proud.' Queensland will have their captain's run in Sydney on Tuesday, with Reece Walsh set to come into the side if Munster is unable to play. But Grant said he wasn't focusing on contingency plans ahead of the series decider. 'There are plenty of possibilities you could go through, but you could be wasting energy thinking about that,' he said. 'Putting that in place, the coaches will have their understanding and they'll have those conversations. But as a playing group, we don't need to put our heads there.'
News.com.au
29 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Get a job': Nick Kyrgios' ugly feud with American tennis journalist intensifies
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has told Nick Kyrgios to 'get a job' as the tennis star continues to take pot shots at the American reporter. The Aussie may not be playing at Wimbledon this year and was not retained by the BBC as a commentator but that hasn't stopped him from making headlines. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Last week it was revealed that the former World No. 13 has partnered up with Rachel Starr and fellow adult actor Sophie Stonehouse for brand new OnlyFans content, a series titled Smash City. Although the name may hint at spicy content it is anything but, with the four-episode show for OnlyFans TV a pickleball-based competition that sees eight OnlyFans creators compete for $20,000. However, away from his new venture, Kyrgios continues to take swipes at Rothenburg, most recently appearing to make fun of the journalist's physique. It all began when the popular tennis fan page 'Tennis Centel' posted a picture of the American journalist captured from behind on Sunday captioned: 'Bro Ben Rothenberg is built like a groundhog LMAO.' As the post gained traction, Kyrgios stuck the boot in, retweeting the post and writing 'Tennis central' But tennis fans were not amused, quickly denouncing his behaviour. 'Bully and nothing else. Just sad I used to support you,' one person commented. 'Fat shaming? Classy as ever…,' another added. While others wrote 'I used to admire you' and 'Dude you're 30, grow up'. In response to Kygious, Rothenberg wrote on X: 'Bro you have tweeted about me four times already this month and it's only July 6th. Let's work on getting you a job again.' But the Aussie couldn't help but to clap back again writing: 'Awwww Benny I'm doing just fine. Someone's feelings are hurting …. Not so fun anymore is it?' It is just the latest chapter in a bubbling feud between the pair spanning close to five years but has heated up in the last two years. The American journalist has repeatedly called for Kyrgios to be pulled from the air, most recently for controversial tweets demeaning a WTA player. 'Honestly a bit surprised to see ESPN didn't yank Nick Kyrgios off air mid-#USOpen final, seeing his most recent disparaging tweet about a WTA player circulating,' Rothenberg wrote last year during the US Open. 'Given his history of demeaning women, women's tennis, and WTA players, it was already a dubious choice to have him.' While Kyrgios remains sidelined through a recurring wrist injury, the 30-year-old has been doing work for TalkSport and continuing his commentary career on his YouTube podcast 'Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios'. He was, however, snubbed by the BBC for Wimbledon coverage this year, after being a shock inclusion in the commentary box at the All England Club last year. Responding to being overlooked he told The Guardian last month: 'I know I'm a great commentator. All I've done for 20 years is play, study and breathe this sport. 'I also think tennis needs commentators who say things that not everyone says. 'I understand they've got Chris Eubanks, but he hasn't beaten the greatest of all time multiple times. 'When someone's beaten Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and has incredible insights, it's very strange you wouldn't want that person adding knowledge to tennis fans'.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
GEORGIE PARKER: The AFLW is burning a hole in the game's coffers. But the game can't grow without it.
A recent report revealed the AFLW is costing the AFL close to $100 million a year, while bringing in just half of that in return. On the surface it's an alarming figure, especially in an industry and society obsessed with return on investment. It's raised valid questions. Has the league cooked itself by expanding the women's comp too quickly? Can it sustain this kind of financial, for lack of a better word, burden? And most importantly, how does the governing body legitimise the AFLW when the numbers don't stack up? It is worrying. The numbers demand attention, and something needs to shift if the league is to move out of the red. But while so many will tell you the AFLW's value can only be about dollars, it's not as as simple as that. Let's start with what the critics are circling, the 18 teams after just eight years of existence. Was it too fast? Probably. The rapid expansion stretched an limited talent base, infrastructure, and I hate to say it, interest. When you compare this with the thriving NRLW with less teams, and highlighted by their marquee event, the State of Origin, it is obvious the AFLW is too big. But I also understand why they had to expand so quickly. The parochialism and rivalries of our great game is a reason we love the sport, but also the reason for its growth. But what's done its irreversible. Do we wait and see the fruits of investment? And if so, how long do we wait? These are tough questions, but I would like to add the men's competition didn't start printing money overnight either- it took decades of expansion, mergers, relocations and reinvention before becoming a commercial beast. I hear the arguments of 'but they didn't get paid like the women' come rolling in, and of course they didn't but they also didn't have decades of systemic sexism and the continued pressure that the AFLW has to 'justify' its existence either. Believing women should wait 100-years because the 'men did' is stupid. The challenge is keeping people - the AFL included - patient. The league needs to help fence-sitters see the bigger picture, which is if you create a healthy women's game that adds to the already-healthy men's one. My niece adores Richmond's AFLW team, but with just 14 matches in a season, her love for the Tigers doesn't just dissipate once the women's season ends. Instead, she keeps supporting the club through following the men, buying their merchandise and attending their games. The impact of AFLW isn't contained to one league. It ripples across the club, league and business of footy. There's also the grassroots effect. Girls' participation has exploded in the last decade, thanks to visible role models in AFLW. That's future talent, future members and future fans. That also doesn't go on the AFLW balance sheet, but the women's game has shifted a dial that the men could never. The AFL posted a profit of over $45m in 2024, proof that the overall game is in strong shape. So perhaps the real question isn't 'can we afford AFLW?' but instead, 'can we afford not to back it properly?' Yes, it needs to be more efficient. And Yes, things need to change to make the model sustainable. Legitimising the league isn't just about closing the financial gap, it's about recognising the value that isn't always visible in a balance sheet. Still, we need action. Better scheduling. More marketing. Bigger buy-in from clubs. And honest conversations about what success looks like 15 years from now. The idea that AFLW is a financial black hole doesn't tell the full story. It's an investment and one that is delivering, but just in less obvious ways. The AFLW is not failing, it's still forming. And like all good things, it will need time.
