Match report: Swans hold off brave Lions

Michael Whiting May 1, 2016 3:45 PM

A FIVE-GOAL haul from superstar forward Lance Franklin has lifted the Sydney Swans to a pulsating three-point win over the Brisbane Lions in a controversial finish at the Gabba on Sunday.

Franklin kicked three in the first term and was always there to thwart a desperate Lions outfit as the Swans eked out a 15.7 (97) to 14.10 (94) victory. After being humbled by the Western Bulldogs just eight days ago, the Lions' performance was full of merit.

But coach Justin Leppitsch felt they could have won if not for an incident in the final minutes that saw Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair stretchered from the field.

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With the Lions on the attack in their forward 50 and trailing by three points, Sinclair – clutching at his knee 100m from the ball – was taken from the ground as play was held up. "I just don't know how the stretcher call (comes) when there's a live ball in your own forward 50, how the game's allowed to stop," Leppitsch said.

"I don't know the ruling behind it, maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is the play has to stop before the stretcher comes out, not the other way around. "We all saw it, a bloke tripped over his own feet and they called a stretcher.

"We're three points down with a live ball in our forward 50 and they can get 18 players down there. Can we use it as a tactic, now, can we? I don't know. "Wouldn't you be filthy? Of course you would be."

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Quelle: Brisbane Lions Vs Sydney Swans - Match Centre - AFL.com.au