Paul Gough at Telstra Dome
Sydney has taken a giant step towards securing fourth spot and the all-important double chance in the finals by coming from behind to continue its dominance over Carlton at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
The Swans' thrilling 18.13 (121) to 18.11 (119) victory was incredibly their first on Victorian soil in more than a year but in terms of their overall season it was their most important win yet.
And they had two unlikely heroes to thank in Jarrad McVeigh and Darren Jolly on a day when dual Brownlow Medalist Adam Goodes was barely given a touch by impressive Blues' youngster Bryce Gibbs.
The win means the 2005 premier have opened up a six point break over the chasing pack led by St Kilda, Collingwood and Brisbane in the race for fourth spot.
But the Swans did it the hard way against the improved Blues on Sunday and for much of the first half looked certain to continue a losing streak in Victoria dating back to round 11 last year.
The Swans had failed to win on their past seven visits to Victoria before this clash but this victory was their 11th in a row against Carlton dating back to 2000 with Blues' spearhead Brendan Fevola remaining the only Blues' player to have played in a winning side against the Swans.
For the Blues this loss all but spells the ends of their finals hopes in a season in which they have made great progress under new coach Brett Ratten but they will be kicking themselves for letting this one slip.
The Blues - with skipper Chris Judd starring in the first half - led by as much as 28 points at the 25 minute mark of the second term but two late goals to McVeigh saw the Swans close to within just 16 at the main break.
And as Judd's influence faded after half-time due to the close checking of Brett Kirk while Luke Ablett was in control of Nick Stevens, the Swans began to take control of midfield despite Goodes managing just three touches in the opening three terms against the impressive Gibbs.
But Goodes had four touches and booted a goal as he lifted in the thrilling final term while McVeigh booted two more after half-time to finish with four goals for the day.
McVeigh also had great support from midfielder Jude Bolton and ruckman Jolly, who kicked a magnificent goal on the run in the final term to give the Swans a three goal lead while Ryan O'Keefe kicked three as Fevola played a lone-hand up the other end with five goals although Eddie Betts kicked two late goals to give the Blues' hope after barely being sighted in the first three terms.
CARLTON: 5.5, 10.9, 15.9, 18.11 (119)
SYDNEY: 2.1, 8.5, 14.10, 18.13 (121)
GOALS: Carlton: Fevola 5, Betts 3, Judd 2, Walker, Russell, Murphy, Kreuzer, Fisher, Grigg, Hartlett, Waite
Sydney: McVeigh 4, O'Keefe 3, Moore 2, Bevan 2, Jolly 2, Goodes 2, J Bolton, Playfair, Roberts-Thomson,
BEST: Carlton: Gibbs, Scotland, Murphy, Fevola, Walker, Simpson, Carrazzo
Sydney: O'Keefe, J Bolton, McVeigh, Jolly, Kirk, Ablett, Bevan
INJURIES: Carlton: Walker (shoulder)
Sydney: Barry (hamstring), O'Loughlin (ankle)
UMPIRES: Stevic, Chamberlain, Kamolins
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Carlton: Nil
Sydney: Malceski (calf) replaced in selected side by Grundy
CROWD: 38,401 at Telstra Dome
Sportal Player of the Year Votes:
3. Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney
2. Jude Bolton (Sydney)
1. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)