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Sydney’s comeback falls short as Hawks claim 20-point victory

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Hawthorn Hawks news

The Sydney Swans have started their 2025 AFL campaign with a disappointing 20-point loss to Hawthorn at the SCG, with the match overshadowed by a controversial goal review decision that left fans fuming.

Hawthorn secured a 14.12 (96) to 11.10 (76) victory, finishing strongly in the final quarter after the Swans had stormed back into the contest.

However, the game’s biggest talking point came in the first half when Oliver Florent’s goal was overturned after a score review deemed that Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw had gotten a fingertip to the ball—despite no clear evidence of deviation.

Fox Footy commentator Jason Dunstall was left bewildered.

“I don’t think anyone has touched that one,” he said. “I think he has had an air swing and missed.”

Yet the goal review umpire stood by the call, stating, “We can see the ball deviate after making contact with the right fist of the Hawthorn defender.”

The decision was met with loud boos from the SCG crowd and sparked outrage online, with one fan posting,

“I’m Hawks through and through … honestly, the AFL need to scrap this review bullst with cameras from the 1960s. How anyone could definitely say that deviated is full of sh.”

Despite the controversy, Hawthorn was the better side for most of the match as the $1.96 outsiders with the top AFL bookmakers.

Will Day starred with 26 disposals and three goals, while captain James Sicily played a key role in defence before moving forward in the final term to seal the win.

Sydney Swans v Hawthorn Hawks OR Highlights

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised his side’s ability to handle the pressure.

“It was a tough game the whole game. My heart rate wouldn’t go down, so I thought the players did a fantastic job of handling the pressure,” Mitchell said.

“We know we need to get better and improve, and we’re going to have to be better than we were tonight.”

Sydney launched a third-quarter fightback, closing the gap to five points at the final change, with Chad Warner (21 disposals, two goals) and Nick Blakey (26 disposals, one goal) leading the charge.

However, heavy rain in the last quarter played into Hawthorn’s hands, as they restricted the Swans to just five behinds while adding three unanswered goals.

Swans coach Dean Cox admitted his side let a golden opportunity slip.

“A little bit disappointed. To come back and get to a really good position and let it slide the way we did was disappointing,” Cox said.

“We didn’t take our opportunities in the final quarter. Some of our decisions centre-forward were poor.”

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Topics: AFL, Hawthorn Hawks, Sydney Swans

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