Late drama as Amartey delivers Swans victory over Dockers

Sydney forward Joel Amartey played the hero at Optus Stadium, shaking off a corked leg to kick the match-winner and hand the Swans a gutsy three-point win over Fremantle in a pulsating 2025 AFL Round 2 clash.

With the game in the balance and less than two minutes remaining, Amartey outmuscled Brennan Cox in a crucial one-on-one contest and coolly slotted the decisive major to secure a 9.14 (68) to 9.11 (65) victory—the first under new senior coach Dean Cox.

It was a game of swings and momentum shifts. Fremantle burst out of the gates, holding Sydney goalless in the first quarter for the first time since 1997.

Josh Treacy was unstoppable early, kicking two of his four goals in the opening term as the Dockers surged to a 22-point lead.

But Sydney regrouped, sparked by James Jordon’s gritty midfield effort. The tagger not only restricted Caleb Serong’s impact but also racked up 24 disposals and 10 clearances to lead the Swans’ turnaround.

By halftime, the margin had been trimmed to just 11 points, and Sydney kept the pressure on through the third, dominating the stoppages and finally hitting the front for the first time since the opening bounce.

Chad Warner was electric in the final term, finishing with 26 disposals and 10 inside 50s, while young defender Riley Bice made his mark with a stunning goal on the run to level the scores.

Amartey’s heroics sealed the win, but it came with late drama. Fremantle forward Jye Amiss marked just after the final siren—*/seconds too late to take a shot to tie or win the match.

For the Dockers, Jaeger O’Meara (32 disposals) led from the front, and Luke Jackson gave great support up forward, but their inability to match Sydney’s clearance work proved costly.

The loss sees Fremantle drop to 0-2 and staring down a fiery Western Derby next week, while the Swans (1-2) breathe life into their season with a gutsy win on the road.

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