* Key moment: With Sydney up by 12 points early in the fourth quarter, Sydney defender Jake Lloyd went back with the flight to take a mark at half-forward. But in a moment of madness, Melbourne utility James Harmes flew in and caught Lloyd with a late forearm to the neck, knocking the defender to the ground. He was immediately reported while Lloyd received a 50-metre penalty, extending the Swans' lead to three goals. Sydney never looked back from there.
* Key stat: Speaking of Lloyd, it was a special night on the goal-kicking front for the unassuming Swan. Lloyd hadn't kicked a goal since round eight, 2021, against Melbourne at the MCG. He popped up with a wonderful goal from a tight angle in the third term, then jagged his second at the start of the fourth. It was the first time Lloyd had kicked two goals in a game since his debut season in 2014, and the first time he'd done so in a final.
* Injuries: Christian Petracca battled with a calf issue from the first quarter onwards. While he was clearly proppy, the Melbourne star played through the issue and spent time up forward and in midfield and played out the game. Clayton Oliver had treatment on a cut eyebrow in the final quarter but quickly returned to play.
* What's next? Sydney are straight through to the preliminary final and get a week off. The Demons take on Brisbane, who edged Richmond on Thursday night, in the semi-final.
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