AFL LIVE: Sydney Swans, Fremantle Dockers face off at SCG for grand final place

Key Posts7.10pmInspirational Mills joins Swans less than 48 hours after surgeryBy Swans captain Callum Mills has remarkably turned up at the SCG to join his teammates for tonight’s preliminary final, despite having knee surgery.Mills had a knee reconstruction on Wednesday but was determined to help his teammates tonight, so when he spoke to coach Dean Cox, he asked to help from the interchange bench.Callum Mills of the Swans walks off the field on crutches after the AFL qualifying final AFL Photos via Getty ImagesMills was spotted being taken on the medical cart to the team rooms as he can’t walk due to the surgery.“He’ll sit on the bench,” Cox said on Kayo Sports.6.57pmMatthews pays tribute to Gulden’s leadershipBy Roy WardSwans assistant coach Ben Matthews has paid a glowing tribute to star midfielder Errol Gulden ahead of tonight’s preliminary final.Matthews said the Swans would do all they can to keep make sure Gulden could influence the game despite the expectation that the Dockers will closely check him.Errol Gulden of the Swans celebrates victory.Getty Images“He’s been doing it for a number of years, he’s been All-Australian and best and fairest but he’s come back midseason after an unfortunate injury and he’s taken it all before him,” Matthews told Kayo Sports.“What he does for our team is incredible. He wins the ball but he directs teammates around him. He’s stepped up at the most important time when others aren’t out there.“I’m sure Fremantle have got plans for him, hopefully we can put him in positions where he can influence the game for us.”6.43pmOnly one of the Serong boys will reach the grand final this year. Their mum is already taking sidesBy Andrew WuOn Friday night at the SCG, Tania and Jamie Serong and their family will gather in the Fremantle rooms for a presentation in recognition of their son Caleb’s 150th game for the Dockers.They’ll then head in separate directions.While Tania takes her seat in the stands among the Fremantle friends and families’ section, her husband will make his way onto the hallowed turf of the SCG to be part of a guard of honour for Sydney’s players as they run onto the field.Jai and Caleb Serong (right) as kids.If you think Matthew Pavlich, the Fremantle great turned Sydney chief executive, was conflicted, spare a thought for the Serongs, whose sons Caleb and Jai go head-to-head for a grand final berth.Unlike just about everyone else in the sold-out crowd on Friday night, the Serongs can’t lose, no matter what the result is. But they can’t win either.Click here to read the story.6.34pmThe Swans have nothing to lose, can they keep their finals run going?By In the AFL, Sydney Swans fans have an unwelcome and slightly justified reputation for frequently turning up late to their own party, often filing into the SCG ten minutes into the game.Tonight there’s a different vibe in the air ahead of a preliminary final few believed was possible and there was a queue outside the Swans headquarters two hours before the start of the game, with fans wanting to cheer the players as they walked to the stadium.Freo big man Mason Cox warms up at the SCG tonight.AFL Photos via Getty ImagesI saw two of the heroes from the Swans’ 2005 Premiership walking to the ground deep in conversation, Jude Bolton and Brett Kirk.6.28pmCaleb says his Swans brother is ‘just another jumper’By Freo star Caleb Serong will face off with his brother Jai in tonight’s match and while their parents will have trouble trying to support both sides, the Dockers midfielder will be all business.Caleb told media this week he will be chasing the win and not give his brother a second thought, at least until the match is decided.6.21pmWhat went through Curnow’s mind when Swans teammates were bannedBy Tom DecentFour words into a 15-minute interview, Charlie Curnow has already flipped the script.“Are you a Swans man?”He’s probably wondering why this random reporter is sitting in front of him ahead of the Swans’ preliminary final against Fremantle on Friday night at the SCG.Swans star Charlie Curnow.Sam MooyIt’s a fair question from a Victorian living in Sydney. The kind you’d get over a beer at the pub.6.20pmGood eveningBy G’day everyone. I’m Roy Ward and I’ll be tapping the keys tonight as the Swans and Fremantle play their preliminary final to decide who will progress to the grand final next week.First bounce is set for 7.40pm AEST.Enjoy the evening to come.1 of 1