Sydney’s victory over Brisbane is changing the AFL finals picture, with former player Jimmy Bartel saying the result gives the Sydney Swans a realistic path to the grand final. Multiple outlets frame the win as a key step in a “miracle run” narrative, based on how match outcomes affect qualification and the bracket.
The articles emphasize that finals systems and ladder positions determine which teams advance and where they finish, so one result can open or close specific routes. While all sources highlight Bartel’s view that Sydney can now contend for the premiership, they focus on the implications of the draw and the shifting opportunities for remaining matches. The reporting does not present a single agreed forecast for Sydney’s exact path, but collectively points to renewed contention grounded in the updated finals landscape.
Overall, the outlets converge on the same central idea: Sydney’s win over Brisbane meaningfully alters the postseason scenario and strengthens Sydney’s perceived chances of reaching—and potentially winning—the grand final.
