The Sydney Swans VFL side secured a thrilling three-point victory over the Sandringham Zebras at Lakeside Oval in Round 12 of the competition.
Mid-season draft pick-up Jack Buller was the match-winner in his first game for Sydney’s VFL side, kicking five goals in the Swans’ last-gasp win over on Friday, along with a clutch goal late in the game by Jake Bartholomaeus to put the Swans ahead with minutes to go.
The Swans had to do it the hard way, leading for the majority of the game before the opposition kicked multiple goals late to set up a grandstand finish.
Swans VFL Head Coach Damian Truslove had plenty of praise for his side, calling out their resilience to secure their first win of the season.
“It was really pleasing for all our staff and players to get a taste of victory. We have been close for a few weeks now and have been playing good footy in patches so to put four quarters together and get the victory is really good for our program,” Truslove said after the game.
“We just hung in their, stuck to the plan and it was an outstanding goal by our captain Jake Bartholomaeus to kick that goal at the end to win the game but I thought we just kept scrapping and fighting."
Following stints at the senior level, Dylan Stephens returned and was excellent in the middle with 26 disposals, 13 tackles and seven clearances while Corey Warner was lively with 21 touches and four clearances and ruck Lachlan McAndrew had 33 hitouts and three clearances.
Buller’s fellow mid-season draftee Harrison Arnold also had a big day with 23 disposals and nine marks.
“Dylan set his game up around his tackling and was hard and tough around the contest,” Truslove said.
“Corey gave us good drive and some really good entries into our forward 50m.”
“Our two new draftees were also really impressive as well. Jack was a competitor, he crashes the pack and gets in good spots,” Truslove added.
“Harry was a real leader down back, he reads the game well and was really composed under pressure.”
Young forward Jaiden Magor was busy with 24 touches and 13 marks, while defender William Edwards was strong in defence with 21 touches and 11 marks.
Winger Caleb Mitchell had 18 touches and 10 marks, while defender Will Gould had 21 touches and 10 marks.
