The Swans have suffered a heart-breaking defeat to the Gold Coast Suns with a goal on the full-time siren helping the visitors earn a 16.8 (104) 17.5 (107) win at Lakeside Oval on Saturday.
The Swans opened their account with a dominant first-half display that saw them record six goals in a relentless opening term, before the Suns clawed their way back late in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to four goals.
The Bloods lead for a majority of the final quarter, thanks to goals from Hayden McLean, Ben Ronke and Ryan Clarke, before a goal to Suns forward Joel Jeffrey on the full-time siren helped them earn a comeback victory.
McLean starred with four goals and Harry Morrison recorded three of his own, while Clarke (31) and Dylan Stephens (31) also impressed and finished as our main possession winners.
Meanwhile, Callum Sinclair continued his blistering VFL form, recording 20 disposals, one goal, and 36 hit-outs.
Stephens, who also recorded seven tackles in another strong performance in the midfield, conceded that lapses in concentration are ultimately proving costly.
"We started really well, and probably most of the quarters we started well, but after that first 10 minutes when we put the heat on we get a little bit complacent and that allows them to get back in the game," he said.
"We dropped our heads a little bit, we fought back but it's those little lapses we have that cost us.
"When we're at our best. we know we can compete. It's just just when we get that lead, we allow them to fight back.
"It's not just one goal, it's two or three, so when that happens we just need to get back to the basics."
Other strong performances came through captain Adam Gulden, who recorded 17 possessions and two goals while Ben Ronke has made a welcome return from injury in the last two weeks - finishing with 18 disposals and two goals.
The VFL fixture is currently a week-to-week prospect with an opponent for Round 10 yet to be determined.
FOURTH QUARTER
Swans 16.8 (104) Suns 17.5 (107)
FT Heart breaking.
The Suns kick a goal on the siren to earn a three-point win at Lakeside Oval.
22' Stephens with six tackles - his tackling pressure has been enormous!
16' Ronke gets another! We extend our lead to 10 midway through the final term.
Ronke impressing with 17 disposals and two goals.
13' We're back in-front! McLean latches onto a Sam Thorne kick and nails his fourth of the afternoon!
3' THERE IT IS! Clarke opens the scoring and we trail by just 5 points. C'mon, Bloods!
THIRD QUARTER
Swans 13.5 (83) Suns 15.3 (93)
3/4 Time
Some goals in quick succession from the Gold Coast have them in-front heading into the final term.
Gray (23) Clarke (20) Stephens (20) our main possession winners while McLean (3), Morrison (3) Gulden (2) van Huisstede (2) Ronke, Sinclair, Cordell are the goal scorers.
30' Gold Coast snatch the lead with another goal
25' Suns reduce the deficit to just two points late in the third term.
17' Swans unable to find a breakthrough so far in the third quarter
6' Gulden gets his second! The captain in fine form today.
2' Sinclair continues to dominate with the opening goal of the third term.
SECOND QUARTER
Swans 11.4 (70) Suns 7.2 (44)
HT What a dominant first-half from the Bloods! 11 goals and despite a small fightback late from the Suns, we hold a 26 point lead.
McLean and Morrison have three goals apiece, while Sam Gray (17) Sinclair (16) and Clarke (14) are our main possession winners.
26' Now McLean has this third! He's looking ominous with eight disposals and five marks in the opening half!
24' Adam Gulden leading from the front with 13 possessions and one goal. A true captain's knock so far!
18' Morrison has THREE! A beautiful finish to extend our lead midway through the second quarter.
13' Sinclair continuing to find plenty of the footy with 12 disposals, while Ryan Clarke continues his strong form with 11 of his own.
5' McLean has his second! A great grab in-front of goal and he nails the set shot.
FIRST QUARTER
Swans 6.2 (38) Suns 3.2 (14)
1/4 time A dominant start from our boys with six goals in a relentless opening term!
van Huisstede and Morrison have two while Adam Gulden and Hayden McLean have one each also.
22' Ben Ronke making his presence felt early with seven disposals so far.
20' A dominant opening term so far from the Bloods! Two goals to Harry Morrison and Reed van Huisstede give us a strong lead.
17' A double to Harry Morrison has the Swans leading by four goals in the opening quarter.
10' Dylan Stephens brining plenty of pressure around the contest so far with some tough efforts in the middle.
3' What a start from van Huisstede! He gets another to give the Bloods an early two-goal lead!
1' BANG! Reed van Huisstede opens the scoring the first minute!
