The Swans Reserves face Eastlake in the preliminary final this Sunday as a result of losing to top-placed Belconnen by 52 points at Manuka Oval on Saturday.
It was a tight match for the first three quarters before Belconnen kicked away with an eight goal last quarter, whilst the Swans kicked just two points.
During the finals the rules enforced on the Swans become stricter; allowing the use of only 12 senior and rookie listed players.
By the final quarter the Swans were down to just nine after losing Matthew Laidlaw, Luke Brennan and Brendan Murphy. Laidlaw was playing his first game back from injury so had limited game time, Brennan had tightness in his hamstring and Murphy injured his shoulder.
Ben Mathews was the Swans’ best playing in the midfield and Daniel Currie, forward and in the ruck, Nick Smith who played on ball and Brennan, up forward, were also impressive.
Laidlaw who played in the forward line and Jake Orreal who alternated between the ruck and forward line were also good. The top-up players for the Swans did an exceptional job given the high quality of the game.
Belconnen led by seven points at the end of the first term after a four goal to three first quarter. The goal kickers for the Swans were Mathews, Currie and Smith.
By halftime the lead had changed and the Swans were three points up. Mathews and Currie kicked their second goals, Brennan kicked two and top-up player Bernasconi kicked his first.
Brennan and Currie both kicked their third goal in the third term and Ed Barlow and Dean Terlich each goaled for the first time but these were to be the last goals the Swans would kick for the game and the four point deficit they faced at three quarter time had exploded out to 52 points by the final siren.
The preliminary final will be played on Sunday 7 September at Manuka Oval, Canberra, at 2pm. Should the Swans Reserves win they will meet Belconnen for the third time in four weeks in the Grand Final.
Final Score:
Swans Reserves – 3.4 (22) 8.8 (56) 12.10 (82) 12.12 (84)
Belconnen – 4.5 (29) 7.11 (53) 12.14 (86) 20.15 (136)
Goals:
Brennan, Currie 3; Mathews 2; Barlow, Smith, Terlich, Bernasconi
Best:
Mathews, Currie, Smith, Brennan, Laidlaw, Orreal
