Grading every player as the Swans win a classic Qualifying derby

Finals footy epitomised!

The fiery Sydney derby qualification final sees the Swans take home an 88-82 win in a classic at the SCG!

The Giants got the ball rolling with Jesse Hogan looking as dangerous as ever, while the Swans were unable to kick into gear early, a reflection of their first quarter woes faced throughout the home and away.

Tempers flared as GWS owned most of the second term, dominating the territory battle and controlling the tempo for a +34-disposal differential and a 21-point lead at the half.

Sydney managed to find the answer early in the second half in Isaac Heeney, as the star touched the sky for a show-stopping mark!

A hotly contested third term saw the Giants maintain their 21-point advantage into the final term, and in one of the most stress-inducing final terms, Joel Amartey found the big sticks late to give the Swans a massive 13.10 (88) to 12.10 (82) victory!

We graded every player in the phenomenal September contest:

Sydney Swans

Isaac Heeney: A++

What a performance from the superstar. Three incredibly important goals, two phenomenal marks including one of the great grabs in recent history, the jet put his team on his back as well as anyone ever has. A performance that will be talked about for years to come. 30 touches, 18 contested, seven clearances, eight score involvements, as good as it gets.

Jake Lloyd: A+

Absolutely relishing in his role up the ground. An equal game high 32 disposals, 14 marks and a goal to go with almost 900 metres gained.

Braeden Campbell: A

Wouldn't normally grade a sub, but his influence in the final term was incredible. Truly a game-changing move from Longmire, involved in every contest, kicked a massive goal to go with eight disposals and two touches.

Tom Papley: A

Barely skipped a beat, a goal and a jumper punch in every derby since 2020. Won massive contests all over the ground, his infectious energy played as a big a role as anything in the closing stages.

Brodie Grundy: B+

Fought hard, edged out Briggs in the ruck. Really got going in the second half.

Chad Warner: B+

Couldn’t quite get it going early on, was unable to explode from the contest as we know he can. In saying that, his final term was magical. In the last term alone, Warner had 13 touches and seven (!) clearances.

Harry Cunningham: B

Played a very important role on Brent Daniels. Kept him quiet all day.

James Rowbottom: B

His usual self inside. Physical, under every contest. 11 tackles, 18 touches and a goal.

Nick Blakey: B-

Wasn’t able to influence with his run and carry, more of a credit to the Giants’ set up. Some important defensive efforts.

Will Hayward: B-

Kicked a huge goal to get the ball rolling in the final term, a few for the game.

Callum Mills: B-

Errol Gulden: B-

Well beaten by Peatling for most of the day. Much below his usual impact, turned up in the fourth with 11 touches. Potentially a victim of his own standards?

Dane Rampe: B-

Was not as composed in the back half as we know he can be, kicked a massive goal and lifted immensely as the game hit Sydney’s terms.

Oliver Florent: B-

Logan McDonald: C+

This guy needs to remain in the forward half. Had a majority of his touches in the backline with little to no impact in the first half, ran forward to slot a massive goal late in the third and competed all through the final term.

Lewis Melican: C+

Dropped a costly mark leading to a goal, some good moments under pressure.

Matt Roberts: C+

Tom McCartin: C+

Couldn't contain Jesse Hogan as he has in past meetings.

Joel Amartey: C

Barely touched the footy... until he did.

Luke Parker: C

Hayden McLean: C

James Jordan: C-

Justin McInerny: N/A

Didn’t look at his best after six weeks out with injury. Six disposals, subbed out in the third term. Potentially a selection mistake.

GWS Giants

Josh Kelly: A

Brilliant as always. Involved in almost every passage both in and around the ball. 27 touches.

Tom Green: A

Dominant in tight early, seven contested touches in the first term, finished with an equal game-high 32 disposals, 19 contested.

Jack Buckley: A

So strong, reads the game better than most. Dominated all day, led the game with an incredible 13 intercept possessions.

Sam Taylor: A

As composed as ever, specifically as the back half was under strife in the final term. 10 intercepts.

Jesse Hogan: A-

Proved too much to handle for the Sydney defence. Opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from beyond fifty, continuously found a way to compete, taking several important marks down the ground.

Darcy Jones: B+

Copped a knock to the ribs in the first term but it didn’t stop the live wire. A great goal out the back in the third term, ran all day, becoming a seriously important player for the Giants.

Finn Callaghan: B+

James Peatling: B+

Took the role on Errol Gulden and rendered him ineffective. Kicked a massive goal, building his stocks amidst plenty of contract rumours.

Aaron Cadman: B

Talk about taking your opportunities! Presented well all day, slotted his set shots, pounced on an error for his third goal.

Lachie Whitfield: B

Lachie Ash: B

Clean as ever off the back flank in his 100th game.

Harry Himmelberg: B

Connor Idun: B-

Callan Ward: B-

The veteran stepped up late, just was not enough.

Kieran Briggs: B-

Slightly outworked by Grundy but a strong game nonetheless.

Lachlan Keeffe: C+

Had a few extremely important moments, owned his role.

Stephen Coniglio: C+

Not a whole lot of touch, used it well, would like some more involvement.

Toby Greene: C+

Lively early. Did a lot of his best work high up the ground, involved in plenty from back to front in the first half but worked out of the contest in the second half.

Brent Daniels: C

Returned from injury but was unable to have his usual impact.

Harry Perryman: C

Toby McMullin: C

Had a few good moments before being withdrawn from the contest at 3QT.

Isaac Cumming: C

Xavier O’Halloran: N/A

Started as the sub, came in for McMullin in the final term.

Following their heartbreaking loss, the Giants will take on the winner of tonight’s elimination final between Brisbane and Carlton, while the raging Swans will enjoy a much needed break before facing the winner of Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.