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Lance Franklin was getting a “bath” from opponent Steven May before a moment of controversy sparked the Swans to life in the qualifying final on Friday night.
Franklin drew heavy boos from the MCG crowd when he first milked a free kick, and then a 50 metre penalty to completely end the Demons’ momentum.
The veteran was one of four Swans to not register a disposal in the opening term as the Demons opened up a 16-point lead early in the second quarter.
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As the ball was thrown in on Melbourne’s 50m arc, Franklin dropped to the ground grabbing at his back in the centre of the ground.
An umpire off the ball called the free kick before a May block on Franklin seconds later saw Will Hayward gifted a 50m penalty and goal.
“This has been going on all game. May and Franklin bumping and shoving off the footy,” commentator Brian Taylor said.
“Jeez that was soft.”
“He’s tried to stream inside forward 50. May’s just put a block on him. Bud hit the deck and the umpire off the ball saw it,” Luke Hodge added.
“He just decked him in there. It’s been going on all night, but he just got Mayzey there,” Richardson said.
Boos rang out across the MCG as replays of the contact on both free kicks was played on the big screens.
“There was not an enormous amount in that,” commentator James Brayshaw said.
Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said the Buddy moment “changed” the game while Jonathan Brown said May had Franklin “put to bed” at quarter time.
“It was almost a perfect game but that second quarter … it becomes a powder-keg that duo,” Jonathan Brown added.
“Melbourne were in control of it. You’ve got them in the sleeper hold,” Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley said.
“There wasn’t much in that. But the second one, where he’s met him … he gave a 50 away.
“What you’ve done is lit the fuse, not just on Lance Franklin, but the Sydney team.”
In the 10 minutes following the controversial 50m call, Sydney were +3 in contested possessions, +3 in clearances, +3 for inside 50s and +19 points.
Swan Tom Papley was quickly up in the face of May after Hayward’s goal.
“There’s no surprise Papley got into May just before. As soon as there’s pushing and shoving, Papley will be involved,” Hodge laughed.
“It brings him into the game.”
“He loves it. He thrives on it. It motivates him,” Taylor added.
May had been praised for his excellent lockdown role on Franklin in the opening term.
“Steven May’s first quarter is just outstanding,” Lyon said.
Brown was equally impressed with the defenders’ positioning to keep Franklin out of the contest.
“He was very proactive with his positioning. He’s willing to go for the marks and take front position,” he said.
“He’s been very aggressive and physical towards Buddy Franklin. It knocks Buddy Franklin as a forward. It knocks you off your line.”
“Buddy’s never been a great contested marker. He is guy that likes fluent ball movement. Melbourne were so good at forcing Sydney into slow plays that he didn’t really get any clean footy,” Nick Riewoldt added.
There were big cheers at the MCG moments after the Buddy controversy, when May was rewarded a free kick against Franklin on the wing.
May then earned himself a second free kick six minutes later, when he went to ground as the Swans streamed forward.
“C’mon please,” Richardson said.
“You’ve got to let those full forward and full back tussle for position a bit.
“They are trying to create space down there and lead.
“Let’s not blow the whistle every time.
“It’s what you come to the footy for. To watch those battles.”
Taylor was also unimpressed with the whistle-heavy conditions.
“I’ve never seen big guys fall so easy than I’ve seen tonight,” he said.
“Once they get a sniff that the umpire’s going to be paying it, they are both trying to milk it.”
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