Following a long spell of wet weather in Sydney, it was apt that with the Suns in town, the sun showed its face at long last, producing perfect conditions for attacking football.
The Swans loaded up their forward line early with the returning Kurt Tippett the main figurehead, ably supported by Tim Membrey, and Patrick Mitchell and Toby Nankervis rotating through the forward line and ruck.
But it was one of the Swans fleet-footed on-ball brigade that got the home team away, with Lloyd Perris finding a pocket of space in congestion and kicking truly from just on the 50-metre arc in front of the Brewongle Stand.
18-year-old George Hewett followed with a touch of class around a stoppage, not giving up on the ball, then weaving his way through traffic, he straightened up momentarily to sneak through a drop-punt goal from 30 metres out and the Swans were clearly switched on early.
After three ‘off-Broadway’ fixtures for loyal reserves followers to start the season, the crowd who arrived early for the curtain-raiser were treated to a glimpse of one of the game’s best forwards in action.
In the space of ten first-quarter minutes, Tippett led out strongly, dived and hauled in a mark similar to that which saw him leave last year’s semi final with a knee injury, kicked two consecutive goals following marks inside 50, and assisted another goal to Membrey – although the reserves leading goal kicker must take most of the credit, threading the set-shot from a similar position to Perris’ opener.
Membrey added another goal shortly after, before Toby Nankervis got in on the act with a confident set-shot goal to give the Swans a 35-point lead at the first change.
Tippett added another goal after receiving a handball over the top in the goalsquare in the second quarter. Already on limited minutes, the Swans’ number eight was crunched in a marking contest with Mitchell close to half-time and was withdrawn from the game.
Aside from Tippett’s first 2014 appearance in the red and white, Saturday’s match was noticeable for many youngsters putting in their best showings of the fledgling season.
Nankervis’ four-quarter performance was one that caught the eye. Not only was he a dominant figure in aerial duels in the ruck, his work around the ground and crisp skills on either side of the body were encouraging. Four goals was just reward for his overall efforts.
After a standout off-season, Harry Marsh looked in his element around the coalface and pushed forward with great effect. Marsh was strong overhead and also finished the game with three goals.
His partner in crime in the midfield, Dan Robinson, put in another solid shift and did what he always does - accumulate high numbers and pressure the opposition ball carries. The foundation of Zak Jones’ game was built on the latter of those qualities, and as the game wore on, he found much more space around the ground and was a key avenue for the Swans as the margin continued to build.
With Jake Lloyd promoted for his senior debut, the Swans weren’t entirely bereft of a number 44 on the day, with Tommy Walsh donning the number. Perhaps fittingly for the Irishman, it was in the green of the NEAFL runners uniform, however, rather than the red and white, as the key tall continues to build towards a return to on-field action following his severe hamstring injury.
The reserves travel to Mackay this weekend to again face the Brisbane Lions reserves on ANZAC Day.
Sydney Swans reserves 7.2 11.7 16.9 19.17 131
Gold Coast Suns reserves 1.3 1.5 2.5 4.7 31
Goals – Nankervis 4, Tippett 3, Marsh 3, Membrey 2, Hewett, Robinson, Perris, Hiscox, Lockyer, Head, Wray
