How a Damien Hardwick masterstroke produced a finals victory for the ages

The Gold Coast Suns have snatched a victory for the ages in their first-ever final, with David Swallow, the first player they ever drafted, kicking the winning point with just nine seconds remaining.

The 32-year-old Swallow had already announced his retirement and was going to walk off into the sunset, but with just his fourth disposal of the game he slotted a long-bomb point to break the deadlock and Dockers hearts – 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79).

And he didn’t think he had that kind of distance in his legs, telling Fox Footy soon after the siren: “I thought I’d lost us the game a few minutes earlier [when he turned the ball over] and for us to win the game was pretty cool.

“I just went through my set shot routine... I didn’t think I had the legs in me but I managed to get there.

“I will see if I can stay in the team.”

What seemed a Swallow goal from 50 metres out was soon ruled by a score review to have been touched off the boot, but the behind was still enough to seal a famous victory for the expansion club.

This was a triumph for Suns coach Damien Hardwick, in his just his second season at the club after being lured back to the AFL during his Italian holiday soon after quitting Richmond as a triple-premiership coach.

It was Hardwick’s call to pick the Perth native Swallow, naming him as the sub for what loomed as his retirement game at Optus Stadium. It was a powerful statement from the coach about the history – albeit short – of the club he was hired to take the next level.

In his post-match press conference, Hardwick spoke about what Swallow means to the Suns.

“It was sort of a fairytale moment, wasn’t it?” Hardwick said.

“He [Swallow] is Gold Coast. You know, he oozes the fabric of the place.

“[With] what he’s given our football club, it [the win] was just reward, I think.

“Dave stayed when others moved on [to other clubs] and, you know, that was fine, but Dave committed and stayed the course.”

Hardwick also explained the background of his selection call.

“I spoke to Dave – he actually lives about five doors down from me.

“I just thought it was important that he played.

“We didn’t give him a game… he earned the game, not only from his form thus far, but what he’s given this club over, I think, that 15 years previous.”

Hardwick remained tight-lipped on if Swallow would retain his place in this side for next week.

“We will have a selection meeting later in the week but, God, can I please enjoy this win first?” Hardwick said with a laugh.

“We’ll work our way through that, but it was a great story.”

Speaking straight after the game, Suns star and Swallow’s great mate Touk Miller spoke about the enormity of the occasion.

“I couldn’t have scripted that any better... to have Dave Swallow in clutch time after 15 years of heartbreak, pain and grinding,” Miller told Fox Footy.

“For him to get his moment was special.”

Up until Saturday night, Swallow held the V/AFL record for the most games played (247) without contesting a final.

Fremantle fought back from 26 points down late in the third quarter to take a six-point lead with three minutes remaining in the blockbuster in front of 57,507 fans.

In a stunning finish, Suns defender Mac Andrew drifted forward and took an important mark to goal and level the scores with 72 seconds to go.

Then the veteran Swallow, who was subbed on early in the final quarter, received a free kick after being tackled by Brennan Cox without the ball.

Originally signalled a goal, the ball was later adjudged a touched behind, but after a monster Fremantle kick out to the middle of the ground, time expired.

Instead, the day marked two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe’s farewell after his own 248th game.

With the win, the Suns booked their place in a Q-Clash semi-final against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba next week.

Miller admitted he had imagined how momentous next week’s semi-final against Brisbane would be.

“You try not to get too far ahead, but when Brisbane lost last night you do think ahead, and you go, ‘How good would it be to go head-to-head next week – to go up the road and send them out in straight sets’,” he said.

“I very much look forward to that.”

With Roy Ward and AAP

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