‘As poetic as sport gets’: AFL world loses it over favourite Sun’s bonkers ‘legacy moment’

Dreams really do come true.

Just ask Suns veteran David Swallow, who lived the ultimate footy fairytale on Saturday night by kicking the match-winning point to seal his club’s first ever finals win.

A shock selection for just his eighth game of the season, Swallow was subbed into Saturday night’s elimination final against Fremantle in the fourth quarter and ultimately delivered a long-range set-shot kick to seal a one-point win.

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“It’s just pure joy, mate, to share that with all my teammates and everyone that’s worked so hard,” Swallow told Fox Footy post-game.

“I can’t believe it.”

The Suns at one stage looked like they’d rolled over after seeing a 26-point lead evaporate into a six-point Dockers lead after a brilliant Freo blitz.

But two of the Suns’ biggest names had the moments of their footballing lives.

Mac Andrew, just like he did against Essendon last year, pushed forward and took a towering contested mark then nailed the set-shot goal to draw scores level with just over one minute left.

The Suns then won the centre bounce clearance, pushing the footy inside 50 where veteran Swallow won a free kick after being tackled without the ball.

And with ice in his veins, Swallow went back and kicked a long-range goal to give Gold Coast a six-point lead … or so he thought, initially.

“He’s bled for this club and he stands up in their biggest moment,” Fox Footy commentator Adam Papalia said.

Fellow Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell added: “It’s payback for the footy gods for a hero of this club. That’s what can happen when you stick with your club through thick and thin.”

In another twist, the ARC overturned the goal to a behind after replays conclusively showed Swallow’s kick had been touched by Docker Neil Erasmus on the mark.

But while Swallow was denied the goal, the behind was essentially a better result for Gold Coast as it meant the Dockers had to go the length of the field in nine seconds to score.

And Fremantle fell well short off the kick-out as the Suns hung on for a one-point win, sparking wild scenes of jubilation among Swallow and the Suns.

Asked what he was thinking as he was lining up for goal, Swallow said: “I just went through my set-shot routine. To be honest I didn’t think I had the legs in me, but I dunno … I managed to there.

“I thought I’d lost us the game when I turned the ball over a couple of minutes earlier.

“To have that moment and for us to get over the line, it’s pretty cool.”

Prior to Saturday night’s match, Swallow had played the most VFL/AFL games in history without a final.

“Dave is just the ultimate Gold Coast Suns man,” Suns captain Noah Anderson told Fox Footy post-match.

“The amount of things he’s seen come through our doors when it hasn’t been good enough, it’s hard to describe. For him to still be here and to get that moment tonight, amazing.”

The Suns will now face cross-town rivals Brisbane in a semi-final next week in what will be the inaugural finals Q-Clash.

“Far out. Pretty amazing,” Anderson said post-game.

“I think a lot of people thought we were pretty happy just getting here, but there was a real belief in the group we could come here and really play our way. I thought we did that for most of the night.

“It showed a level of maturity. It was pretty special.”

Asked about the prospect of facing the Lions next week, Swallow said: “If I stay in the team! We’ll see how we go.”