Adelaide’s season has ended at the hands of the Sydney Swans in a bruising encounter on Saturday night at the SCG.

The Swans emerged 36-point winners and will advance to a Preliminary Final clash with Geelong at the MCG next Friday night, but both teams were battered in the physical clash.

Sydney’s Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and Gary Rohan (knee) were first-half casualties in the 18.10 (118) to 12.10 (82) result.

The Swans' injuries come just seven days after losing ruckman Kurt Tippett (jaw) and NAB AFL Rising Star winner Callum Mills (hamstring), setting them a huge task to qualify for the Grand Final.

McVeigh limped off in the second term, and despite reappearing with the left calf strapped for a five-minute burst to start the third, was done for the night.

With just seconds remaining before half-time, Rohan came crashing down after a marking contest in his defensive 50 and sat up clutching his right knee before being taken off the field on a stretcher.

The Five: Semi-Final vs Sydney

The Swans set up their victory with a blistering seven-goal first quarter, and despite some third quarter pluck from the Crows, were never seriously troubled.

After being taught a lesson by Greater Western Sydney in intensity the previous week, the Swans responded perfectly.

They were ferocious around the contest, led by a colossal 42-disposal, 10-clearance night from Josh Kennedy, who got great midfield support from Tom Mitchell (32 touches), Dan Hannebery (31) and Luke Parker (24 and 12 tackles).

They won the contested ball count 166-147.

"There are no secrets to it, we brought enormous energy and intensity tonight," Longmire said.

"The boys are a pretty proud group and were pretty disappointed with the way they played last week.

"We missed a couple of really good players before the game and lost a couple halfway through the second (quarter tonight), and to the players credit they kept going, and it was a really strong performance."

Lance Franklin had a huge influence, kicking four goals, as did exciting small forward Tom Papley, but perhaps it was second-year sensation Isaac Heeney that stole the show.

Heeney was everywhere and finished with 32 disposals and nine marks, working tirelessly back to help his defenders and pushing forward to create overlap run.

His final quarter contested mark and goal was icing on the cake.

Although Eddie Betts kicked three goals, Nick Smith's job on him should not be undersold.

Betts had just two touches to half-time and was largely ineffective for much of the game.

It's the second-straight season Adelaide has exited in the second week of the finals, but they can hold their heads up after also having to overcome injury problems.

Their defence was rocked in a chaotic first half, with Jake Lever (corked thigh) and All Australian Daniel Talia (groin) off during the second quarter.

Lever was crunched by Franklin after dropping back into the space in front of him on the lead and did not return for the night.

Talia was brave, and returned after 15 minutes on the boundary line, but was clearly affected and unable to move with any freedom.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke said he expected the Swans' early onslaught and expected more from his team.

"The pressure that was on early, led to some of our turnovers and the scores against," Pyke said.

"Our season hasn't been based around conceding seven goals in a quarter, and once you do that away from home, you're chasing the game a bit."

Matt Crouch was prolific with 34 disposals, but the Crows' midfield was thoroughly outplayed.

MEDICAL ROOM
Sydney Swans: The two major casualties were Gary Rohan (knee) and Jarrad McVeigh (calf). Although coach John Longmire had no definitive update on the duo post match, it's hard to see either getting up to play Geelong in six days' time.

Adelaide: The Crows had to deal with a depleted backline once Jake Lever hobbled off with a second-quarter ankle injury and did not return. Crows coach Don Pyke spoke to the youngster at half-time but said he "just couldn't go at all". Daniel Talia sustained a groin injury but battled on after a short break. Pyke said as one of the leaders of the club, Talia's effort was a big step forward in his development.

NEXT UP
The Swans have six days to regroup and tackle Geelong at the MCG in Friday night's Preliminary Final. The quick turnaround won't help their cause with so many injury concerns, but they did humble the Cats by 38 points in the teams' only meeting this season. For Adelaide, they now have two months off and can assess a second straight trip out in week two of the finals.

 

SYDNEY SWANS   7.3   10.5   12.9   18.10 (118)             
ADELAIDE             3.2   4.4     8.9    12.10 (82)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 4, Papley 4, McGlynn 3, X. Richards 2,Rohan, Parker, Hannebery, Mitchell, Heeney
Adelaide: Betts 3, Cameron 2, Lynch 2,Walker 2, McGovern 2, Thompson

BEST
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Heeney, Smith, Papley, Hannebery, Franklin, Mitchell
Adelaide: M. Crouch, Laird, Sloane, Atkins, Thompson

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: McVeigh (calf), Rohan (knee)
Adelaide: Lever (ankle), Talia (groin)

Reports: Sam Jacobs (Adelaide) for rough conduct on Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans) in the fourth quarter

Umpires: Farmer, Meredith, Jeffery

Official crowd: 38,136 at the SCG