The Sydney Swans have surged through to their first AFL preliminary final since 2016 after shocking reigning premiers Melbourne by 22 points.
In the first final at the MCG since the 2019 decider, the Swans ruined Melbourne's coming home party with some scintillating run-and-gun football to dismantle the Demons' much-vaunted defence.
Melbourne entered the qualifying final as hot favourites after humiliating the Brisbane Lions in the final round of the home-and-away season but the Swans completely outclassed the Demons after half-time in front of 78,377 fans.
Sydney's 14.7 (91) to 10.9 (69) wins means they now have a week off and will host a preliminary final at the SCG on September 14 or 15 to be in reach of their first flag since 2012,
The Demons, who are looking to back up last year's drought-breaking grand final win in Perth with a flag back in Victoria, will now host Brisbane in a sudden-death semi-final at the MCG after the Lions eliminated Richmond.
Melbourne's premiership defence is suddenly in tatters, with utility James Harmes placed on report for making late contact against Swans defender Jake Lloyd early in the final quarter.
In a moment of madness, Harmes crashed into Lloyd, giving away a 50-metre penalty to allow the Swans to kick the first goal of the final term and build an 18-point lead.
Melbourne fluffed several opportunities to get back into the contest, before the Swans took the ball up the other end and Isaac Heeney all but sealed a famous victory for Sydney midway through the last quarter.
Making the win all the more impressive for the Swans was Lance Franklin had virtually no impact as All-Australian defender Steven May held the star veteran scoreless.
Franklin and May tussled all night, with the pair giving away free kicks against each other, but the Demons star easily earned the points with 15 intercepts.
After a tight first half, the Swans opened the game up by slamming through six third-quarter goals to grab a 12-point lead at the final change.
It was an even performance from Sydney, with Lloyd, James Rowbottom and co-captain Luke Parker the leading possession winners and Tom Papley, Tom Hickey and Sam Reid all playing crucial roles.
Melbourne star Christian Petracca played through the pain of a calf issue after crashing into Franklin in the first quarter.
The Norm Smith medallist was clearly troubled with strapping on his right calf but seemed to improve the longer the game went on.
Forward Bayley Fritsch also looked to be in doubt after being in deep conversation with Demons medical staff only minutes before the game, but fired with a game-high three goals to be among Melbourne's best.
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Live updates
By Dean Bilton
Thanks for your company!
We certainly can't complain about the quality of the first two finals we've seen, can we? After last night's goalfest, this one felt much more like a crunch final - and in the end, the tougher, harder and cleaner side prevailed.
That team was the Sydney Swans, who are suddenly one of the big stories of 2022. But I have a funny feeling we haven't heard the last of Melbourne this season, and after a week of regrouping, we'll see how they respond against the Lions next week.
Thanks for hanging out with me tonight! I'll be back tomorrow for both finals - Geelong and Collingwood at the 'G, before Freo play the Bulldogs in Perth. It's going to be another big day, so I'm sure I'll see you then.
By Dean Bilton
Jake Lloyd's fine finish
This goal levelled the scores in the third quarter, and the Swans never looked back from there.
By Dean Bilton
Robbie Fox's smother for the ages
There were some special goals tonight, but this moment from Robbie Fox was the highlight of the game. It was typical of Sydney's overall performance on the night, and of their season on the whole.
By Dean Bilton
FT: SWANS WIN! Sydney will play a preliminary final!
It's a 12-point victory for Sydney over Melbourne at the MCG, and it's a night Swans fans won't soon forget.
The manner in which they took over that game, through incredible pressure and brave ball movement, will have caught the eye of every single coach, player and fan across this league. If you weren't convinced before, you surely are now - these Swans can win the whole thing.
As for Melbourne, there's a bit to work on. It's not time for panic though, they'll welcome Brisbane back here next week full of confidence that another prelim appearance is still on the cards. But they were well beaten tonight, and the Swans showed them up in all the areas that counted.
By Dean Bilton
1': Siren approaching
Wait for these red and white celebrations...
By Dean Bilton
3': Swans running down the clock now
It's just about party time in Sydney now. They will host a preliminary final at the SCG in two weeks' time.
By Dean Bilton
6': Oli Florent has gone down off the ball
Looks like he's rolled his ankle well off the play. Not ideal.
By Dean Bilton
8': There's an eerie quiet around the MCG right now
The Swans fans are making plenty of noise, but the reality of the situation is sinking in for the many Demons fans in attendance tonight. Harmes bombs one forward and the Swans rush the behind.
By Dean Bilton
11': Isaac Heeney! Goal! Is that the game?!?
The Sydney Swans are the real bloody deal, folks! They just picked through the Melbourne defence, end to end, and eventually found Isaac Heeney unmarked in the goalsquare for the finish.
They lead by four goals with 10 minutes to play. It will take something special from Melbourne from here.
By Dean Bilton
11': Petracca explodes from the stoppage... but misses
That was a half-chance, but normally that's all Petracca needs. He's been down on output since his early knock.
By Dean Bilton
12': Unbelievable Sydney defence!
The defensive effort of the season! The Demons were streaming into goal, it was just about in the books, but a tackle and then the mother of all smothers from Robbie Fox! Somehow the Swans keep them out. This is something else from these Swans.
By Dean Bilton
14': Swans are holding up to the challenge
Melbourne break free from an intercept mark at half-back, but once the ball reaches the forward 50 the Swans put up the wall.
By Dean Bilton
15': Melksham marks! How did Oliver get it to him?
Somehow Clayton Oliver snuck a kick out of the pack, and it floated onto Melksham's chest. Just about a must-kick goal... and he's missed horribly. Only just snuck a behind.
By Dean Bilton
17': This is something else from Sydney!
Tackle after tackle! Hayward pins Harmes holding the ball right on the boundary line. He goes loooooong for goal... but it's touched right on the line! A review confirms it, just a behind.
By Dean Bilton
18': May rushes a behind
But it's all Sydney right now. They're too sharp, too hot around the footy. Melbourne struggling for answers.
By Dean Bilton
19': Lloyd has two goals! Swans lead by 18!
A brain fade from Harmes, and another goal from a 50m penalty for Sydney. Lloyd is completely fine, by the way.
By Dean Bilton
19': Bang! Harmes has laid out Lloyd! 50m penalty!
A HUGE hit! Late and maybe a little high. He's on report, but more importantly it's going to cost Melbourne a goal!
By Dean Bilton
20': It all comes down to this
Sydney have been the best fourth-quarter team in the league this season. Just keep that in mind as the ball bounces down.
By Dean Bilton
3QT: The stage is set. Sydney lead by 12 points
Oh boy, this is going to be something. Sydney took some early punches, but then started throwing haymakers of their own.
The Swans have a two-goal lead with a quarter to play. What have the Demons got left up their sleeve?
ABC/AAP
