GOALS: Sydney: Franklin 4, Parker 2, Richards 2, Kennedy, Jack Carlton: E.Curnow 2, C.Curnow, Sumner, Armfield, Kreuzer, Buckley, Boekhorst, Silvagni, Casboult

BEST: Sydney: Franklin, X. Richards, Parker, Jack, Aliir, Kennedy. Carlton: Cripps, Gibbs, Simpson, E. Curnow, Wright, Docherty.

INJURIES: Sydney: Nil Carlton: C.Curnow (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Dalgleish, Deboy

Lance Franklin has helped the Sydney Swans repel a valiant Carlton outfit and prevent a major upset with four goals in a six-point win at the SCG on Saturday.

Twenty-eight unanswered points to begin the third term kick-started a slow Swans side who had to overcome an ever-improving Carlton unit that almost ended a five-year drought against Sydney.

Carlton's Dylan Buckley kicked a behind with 60 seconds remaining on the clock to reduce the margin to just a goal, however the Swans held their nerve, something that could not be said in a number of other tight matches this season, to get themselves back in the winner's circle and back in the top four.

"The confidence to be able to win that game is important," said Swans coach John Longmire. "To be able to do it the way we did, it was good, but it's about looking at the game in its entirety and making sure that what got us right in the hunt in that third quarter was pretty simple footy. It was just our real fierce energy."

Margins of 71, 60 and 60 points the way of Sydney in recent fixtures is a reflection of just how deep the Swans had to dig as they were continuously asked questions of a probing Blues forward line led by Ed Curnow who booted two goals.

After two lean weeks with just the one goal against Geelong to go with zero against his old club Hawthorn, Franklin drew ahead of West Coast's Josh Kennedy in the Coleman medal with four goals to take his season tally to 57 majors.

While Franklin was making his usual dent on the scoreboard, it was his leadership and ability to inject himself at crucial times when his side needed him most that was a real feature.

Josh Kennedy led the disposals with 35 while Sydney's Jake Lloyd (28), Luke Parker (24) and Callum Mills (24) were their reliable selves but four Carlton players – Kade Simpson (34), Patrick Cripps (32), Bryce Gibbs (32) and Sam Docherty (30) – all cracked 30 touches in a performance that was noticeably sharper than their position on the ladder would suggest.

"The best way to describe it, we're proud of our progress but not satisfied with close losses," said Carlton coach Brendon Bolton. "We can see growth so there is a bit of pride there but never satisfied with close losses."

In a game where bookies had Sydney as overwhelming favourites, they failed to storm out of the blocks as many people would have expected after their five-point loss to Hawthorn last week.

It took 10 minutes for the opening goal of the game and it came courtesy of Xavier Richards, who finished with two goals after taking his brother Ted's spot in the Swans' starting line-up.

"Xavier hasn't played a lot of footy as a forward but he's done everything he can in the reserves as a forward for the last six or seven weeks and he had an opportunity today and he did some really good things," Longmire said.

However, three consecutive goals in the middle of the first term – one of which was a superb off-the-deck soccer punt from Liam Sumner – helped keep the Blues in the contest as they found themselves up by three points at quarter-time.

Sydney lacked the polish we have come to see of them in recent years, with mid-range kicks and hand passes that are usually their bread and butter just not up to coach John Longmire's standards.

A three-goal second term showed how difficult scoring was in windier than usual conditions, however the Blues went into the main break ahead by eight points thanks to the goal of the match from Buckley at an acute angle.

In his return from the reserves, Isaac Heeney registered just one disposal in the first half – the least of any player on the field – before finishing with 16 as well as a crucial tackle midway through the last term.

A goal to Kieren Jack early in the third quarter helped Sydney draw level before another major a minute later to Franklin put the Swans ahead and there was no looking back, despite a late scare from the visitors, as the Bloods chalked up their 12th win from 17 starts this year.

Aliir Aliir limped from the field in the final quarter but Longmire said he did not think the leg injury would keep him out of action.

Votes

Lance Franklin (SS) ……….. 8

Patrick Cripps (CB)…………….8

Bryce Gibbs (CB)………………8

Josh Kennedy (SS)……………..7

Luke Parker (SS)…………7