Heartbreak for North Melbourne as Sydney clinch AFL fighters’ controversial victory in their first game since Alastair Clarkson’s shock exit
- North Melbourne suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Sydney
- A substitution violation caused them to lose on Saturday
- Daily Mail Australia provides the latest international sports news
Sydney has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to shatter the hearts of North Melbourne.
Just days after Alastair Clarkson relinquished the AFL fighters due to the mental and physical toll of the Hawthorn investigation, the Roos were minutes away from taking a huge win at Marvel Stadium.
But a foul on the substitution bench – in which they exceeded the limit of 75 substitutions for a match – gave the Swans a free kick and a 50m penalty and they capitalized to win by three points.
“Huge absolutely huge in the context of the season,” said Buddy Franklin – who broke his goal drought with a goal on Saturday.
“We knew it would change, but we just had to win that.”
When asked about the unusual exchange violation, Franklin said, “Lucky us. Those are the rules.’
More to follow.