Sydney blow away shellshocked Brisbane to revive ‘torpedoed’ AFL season

Swans defeat Lions 21.15 (141) to 13.10 (88) in qualifying final at SCGReigning premiers to host Crows or Bulldogs in semi-finalSign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterSydney’s season had been “torpedoed” even before they were locked in to meet two-time reigning premier Brisbane in a qualifying final, at least according to the club’s chair Andrew Pridham a couple of weeks ago. But a season that few thought was heading toward anything but the most inglorious of endings – with five players suspended by the club for a breach of club standards – has suddenly taken flight again, after the Swans blew away the Lions for a stunning 53-point triumph in wet and wild conditions at the SCG.Even without the suspended Isaac Heeney running the show in the midfield, Chad Warner lighting up the front half and Nick Blakey breaking the lines from defence, the Swans who lined up against the Lions on Saturday afternoon looked as eye-catching and familiar as any to run out in the red and white this year. The rapid and relentless ball movement that has been critical to the Swans’ resurgence this year was there for all to see. So was the newfound strength at stoppage with Errol Gulden rising to the occ…

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