The Sydney Swans VFL side have gone down to the Box Hill Hawks in their 2023 season opener on Sunday March 26.
In hot and humid conditions at Lakeside Oval, the Swans were valiant in the contest before the opposition pulled away late to secure a 27-point victory.
Swans VFL Head Coach Damian Truslove said that while the side fell away in their ability to defend, there were plenty of positives and opportunities to take away from the eventual 10.10.70 to 14.13.97 scoreline.
“I think we fatigued a bit late. We had less rotations in the second half because we had a few guys on limited game time which made it a bit difficult and the conditions got really hot in the second half,” Truslove said.
“We struggled with our ability to defend their uncontested marks and then when we got the ball, we probably didn’t punish them as much as we would have liked to.
“We can definitely take a lot of positives. A lot of guys played a lot of game time which was tough, but it was a good opportunity for them to get out there and play at the level,” he continued.
“But I was impressed with the way we fought the whole way out and some of our young guys really stood up under pressure.”
New recruit Aaron Francis kicked three goals from 16 disposals in the Swans 27-point loss to Box Hill, impressing in his first performance in red and white.
Young midfielder Angus Sheldrick also impressed and continued to put his hand up for senior selection with a team high 28 disposals and five clearances.
“I thought Angus’ attitude was great. He just put his head down, got to work and put his hand up for senior selection again with finding plenty of the ball,” Truslove said.
“But he was tough and hard around the stoppages.
“I thought Aaron looked really dangerous in the first half and he probably could have had a couple more goals,” he added.
“He was selfless and gave the ball off but I thought contested ball wise, he looked really dangerous in the air.
“It was certainly a good performance from him."
Rookie ruckman Lachlan McAndrew battled valiantly against the more experienced Max Lynch, finishing with 11 touches, 18 hit outs and five clearances, while 2022 mid-season draftee Hugo Hall-Kahan gathered 21 disposals, eight marks and a goal.
Looking ahead to Round 2, the Swans will head to Melbourne to face the Casey Demons at Casey Fields next Sunday.
With eyes now on that match, Truslove said his side has a clear focus on creating opportunities from defence and taking advantage of the chances when they arise.
“We will be working on our defence to create more turnovers,” Truslove said of the week ahead.
“Hopefully when we do create more turnovers, the ability to punish them on the scoreboard from there.”
The Swans VFL side will be named on Friday March 31.
All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
SYDNEY SWANS 3.3 6.6 9.8 10.10 (70)
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.4 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Aaron Francis (3), Will Collis, Charlie Haley, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Jaiden Magor, Harry Morrison, Cameron Owen, Corey Warner
Box Hill Hawks: J Rule (4), T Brockman (3), J Thorpe (3), J O’Sullivan (2), J Bennetts, M Hall
