Buddy helps Swans shade Freo

Lance Franklin kicked two magical goals to break doughty Fremantle’s heart and help secure the AFL minor premiers a 24-point qualifying final win.

Fremantle slashed a 22-point three-quarter time deficit to 10, with two goals in the first three minutes of the final term at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Franklin, who kicked just one goal in the first three quarters and had been effectively double-teamed, settled a classic dogfight with two trademark long bombs.

The newly minted Coleman Medal winner hit the target on the run from almost 70 metres.

He then produced another corker from close to the boundary line 50 metres out to swell Sydney’s lead to 23 points.

Freo got within 14 points but Sydney closed the game out to earn a 13.15 (93) to 10.9 (69) victory and a week’s break.

Fremantle will play the winner of Sunday’s match between Port Adelaide and Richmond.

The Swans led by three at the first change and by five at halftime, despite doubling the Dockers’ inside-50 tally in the second quarter.

Matthew Pavlich kicked 4.1 for Fremantle but celebrated small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters contributed just 1.2 between them.

They were well held by Nick Smith and Dane Rampe, while Ben McGlynn, back after two weeks off with a calf injury, kicked three goals for Sydney.

Swans midfielder Luke Parker was outstanding, consolidating his reputation as one of the competition’s rising stars thanks to a match-high 32 touches.

He received good support from Dan Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Lewis Jetta.

The Swans lost veteran Nick Malceski, who was replaced at quarter time by Craig Bird after what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon appeared to be involved in an altercation with a spectator at three-quarter time, when he appeared to shove back after being slapped on the back.

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