Five missing Swans cost Sydney a preliminary final berth
Five Swans suspended over off-field behaviour were absent when the team lost the preliminary final to Fremantle.
Sydney reached the preliminary final despite five players serving a club suspension amid a police investigation. The players were drinking early into the morning with exotic dancers in their hotel room; no charges have been laid.
In Friday's prelim, the Swans built a 28-point lead in the third quarter but just ran out of gas in the final term and lost to Fremantle. AFL expert Kane Cornes said the missing players would likely have changed the result.
Dane Rampe, captaining the team in place of injured Callum Mills, was visibly emotional after the loss and may have played his last game.
- 5
- Suspended players
- 28 points
- Game-high lead built
- Fremantle
- Opposing team
- Dane Rampe
- Captain
Why it mattersThe absent players will regret the moment for life, Cornes said, and their teammates feel the lost opportunity. Cornes suggested the five would have improved the Swans' chances significantly.
AustraliaSydney misses its first Grand Final since 2014, with the suspension of five players contributing to a shock preliminary final loss.
Corroborated by7news.com.au
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