The Sydney Swans Reserves have moved into second place on the NEAFL Eastern Conference ladder following their impressive 101-point victory over Eastlake at the SCG on Saturday.
The Swans went into the match without in-form Tommy Walsh, Mike Pyke and Trent Dennis-Lane, who all earned senior promotion, but it mattered little as the team dominated the contest from start to finish to win 22.12 (144) to 5.13 (43).
In just his third match, the performance of father-son recruit Tom Mitchell will have Swans fans excited with the 18-year-old instrumental in the victory collecting 35 possessions, 6 marks and kicking a goal.
But it wasn’t just the numbers which were encouraging, it was the way the tough midfielder threw his body into packs to win possession then with a clever kick or handball would have a teammate running into goal or an attacking position.
After overcoming persistent injuries over pre-season, Mitchell has stepped up his game time in his three matches this year from 30 minutes to 45 and now 70 minutes today.
“It’s another step forward for Tom,” Swans Reserves coach Jared Crouch said. “He’s a good little player and can certainly find the footy.”
Playing in his second match this season after overcoming a hamstring injury, Matt Spangher showed he’s not far off his best as he competed hard all game to finish with four goals from 14 possessions which included 9 marks.
Campbell Heath was again lively in defence as was Mitch Morton in attack, who finished with six goals to take him to 36 for the season.
Swans Reserves coach Jared Crouch said while he was pleased with the result there’s certainly room for improvement for the team.
“We’re reasonably happy [with the result],” Crouch said. “There’s some areas the boys need to work on, it was a little bit frustrating there for a little while.
“They moved the ball really well when we had the ball but we’ve just got to make sure they’re working both ways.”
A six-goal to nil opening term - including three majors from Mark Seaby - set up the victory as the Swans’ midfielders made it challenging for Eastlake to go inside-50.
The visitors emerged from the quarter-time huddle determined to fight their way back into the contest and a goal within one minute of the term ensured they were on track.
However, the Swans midfielders got on top of the contest, as they did in the opening quarter, as the home side piled on another five goals to go into halftime with a comfortable 53-point lead.
Eastlake started the third quarter stronger kicking the opening goal while missing several others but the Swans stepped up again as Jesse White kicked three goals for the term and Morton two.
The Swans ran away with it in the last quarter adding another six goals to record a 101-point victory to move into second place on the NEAFL Eastern Conference ladder.
Swans Reserves 6.3 11.5 16.7 22.12 (144)
Eastlake 0.3 2.6 3.11 5.13 (43)
Goals
Swans Reserves: Morton 6, White 4, Spangher 4, Seaby 4, Mitchell 1, Moore 1, Lockyer 1, Kilpatrick 1
