Logan McDonald kicks his fourth, and Sydney steadies
By Andrew McGarry
An important 60 seconds there for the Swans, as they broke downfield and kicked long to a contest, and benefited from the umpires finding a free to Logan McDonald for an arm grab/chop.
The Lions protest, McDonald converts for his fourth goal, and the lead is back to 25.
Halfway through the third quarter, and this game is still right in the balance. A good five minutes from the Lions, and we could be nearly level pegging, you sense.
Oscar Allen has three, and Swans are wobbling a little
By Andrew McGarry
Here we go!
The Swans defence has been under pressure here, and they are starting to make mistakes like the Lions did in the first half.
A collision in the centre square between two Swans led to a Lions attack, and a kick to Oscar Allen inside 50.
The former Eagle marked it and slotted the goal, for his third!
The lead is back to 19 points, and there would be warning lights going off in the Sydney box right now.
Conor McKenna brilliance sets up Jarrod Berry for Brisbane
By Andrew McGarry
The Lions needed SOMETHING here in the third quarter, and they've just got it!
Kai Lohmann managed to keep the ball alive and going forward for Brisbane inside 50, it bounced ahead and Conor McKenna raced in and clipped the ball Gaelic or soccer-style perfectly to the square, where Jarrod Berry was alone to kick the goal.
The Irishman McKenna has been in some brilliant form, and that was no exception.
The storm has abated in Sydney
By Andrew McGarry
Conditions are calmer at the SCG, thank goodness.
It's better for everyone concerned.
Will this mean more ability to hit targets?
Swans get quick reply from Tom Papley
By Andrew McGarry
Sydney weren't hanging around!
They got an immediate centre clearance, James Rowbottom hoofed it forward to a contest, it fell to Tom Papley, and the dynamic Swan kicked his third!
Back out to 30 points.
Josh Dunkley gives Brisbane the early boost
By Andrew McGarry
That was better from Brisbane!
A bit of composure from Josh Dunkley, and his snap went home for a vital early score for the Lions. Back to 24 points.
Logan Morris hits the behind post early
By Andrew McGarry
It's kind of pinging from end to end early here in the third.
The Swans were attacking, but Brisbane cleared and moved it fast - almost Sydney-like - it bounced clear for Logan Morris in the right forward pocket, but his kick hit the behind post.
Frustration for Brisbane.
Crucial half of footy coming up
By Andrew McGarry
The weather conditions are playing havoc with this game, and the goalposts are being moved (literally) in the wind.
That's not going to make things easy for anyone trying to kick goals, and that's more of a problem for the Lions right now.
This is a huge 60 minutes of football coming up for both sides.
We'd always say that, but especially now, when all preconceptions have gone (blown) out the window.
This was a huge opportunity for the Lions - and it still is, but if they can't turn this around it will be a huge opportunity lost.
HT stats
By Andrew McGarry
Inside 50s: 36-27 Sydney
Clearances: 20-15 Sydney
Centre clearances: 9-4 Sydney
Contested possessions: 72-53 Sydney
Uncontested possessions: 99-89 Brisbane
Marks inside 50: 9-3 Sydney
Tackles: 23-21 Brisbane
Tackles inside 50: 3-2 Sydney
A quick scan of these stats shows the Swans are dominating clearances (and the important centre breaks), contested possessions and marks inside 50.
Some of this has to change markedly if the Lions are going to mount a comeback.
Callum Mills on crutches in the Sydney rooms
By Andrew McGarry
A reminder of the big blow for the Swans in that half.
There was a big round of applause when Callum Mills returned to the bench after his knee injury.
But his day is done - and at half-time the Swans players are getting around him as he is on crutches.
You'd have to say unless there is a miracle involved, that's his season. Best wishes to the Sydney skipper.
HT: Sydney 10.8 (68) leads Brisbane 5.8 (38)
By Andrew McGarry
The siren sounds, the crowd roars, and the rest of us scratch our head after a surprising half of football.
Hayden McLean kicked a late goal from the square after he was held in a contest after Tom Papley kicked to the hotspot.
It's windy, the rain is bucketing down at the SCG (although that mightn't last too long), and the crowd has largely run for cover.
But the Swans haven't, so far at least.
This is a substantial lead for Sydney, and the Lions have a big task ahead of them to get back in this.
Missed chances from Brisbane
By Andrew McGarry
A couple of chances here for Brisbane in time on, but in this wind, it's just tough.
Jarrod Berry and Zac Bailey have missed, and the lead is back to four even goals.
And the rain has ARRIVED.
Weather bomb hitting Sydney?
By Andrew McGarry
The weather has turned at the SCG...
The temperature has dropped a bit, and here comes the wind!
There is rubbish being blown on the ground, and it's sending fans scurrying for cover.
I reckon the rain is coming behind this, so the Swans need to hang on to this margin to half-time.
The cameras are showing some trees out the back of the SCG, and it's fair to say that the amount they are moving - if this was in America, we'd have weather journalists on the mike trying to avoid being blown away.
What is this?
Hipwood gets the quick reply for Brisbane
By Andrew McGarry
Brisbane desperately needed a lift, and Eric Hipwood gave it to them!
A kick to a contest led to a free, and although the Swans argued the toss with the umpire, it didn't matter.
Hipwood slotted the goal and the lead is back to 26 near time on.
Swans pressure leads to McDonald goal
By Andrew McGarry
The Swans are giving it everything here trying to regain control.
Tom Papley monstered Noah Answerth (back on the ground) for holding the ball, and then he chipped to the right forward pocket for Logan McDonald who marked.
The Western Australian went back - his kick was awful, but it wobbled back late to go through.
The Swans are out to 32 points!
Charlie Curnow increases Sydney's margin!
By Andrew McGarry
Quick shift in momentum, as Swans go bang-bang!
Within a minute of the last goal, Sydney hits up Charlie Curnow in the right forward pocket - and his snap goes through for the eighth goal of the day for the Swans.
The lead is back out to 25 points.
Swans reply through Hayden McLean
By Andrew McGarry
Interesting moment there, with Sydney hitting the post for a point, then soon after a boundary throw-in going awry and Hayden McLean snapping one from a pack.
The replay shows Tom Papley lying down on the sideline getting a leg massage - he saw the goal, and thumped the ground in joy!
The Swans restore a bit of order.
Oscar Allen has another as Lions close in
By Andrew McGarry
I'm not sure about the wind - it looks like it is in the faces of the Lions this quarter, which means that all those forward entries in the first term for Sydney against it as well.
Brisbane is making a move, in any case - they go down the left, Lachie Neale finds a target near 50, the kick is from Oscar Allen and it's through for another one!
The lead is back to 13 points, with more than 13 minutes on the clock in the second term.
