Speedster Gary Rohan has passed his first significant test on the road to recovery, playing a key role in the NEAFL Swans’ win over Brisbane on Sunday.
The 24-year-old, who was taken off the long-term injury list last week, came on after quarter-time and pieced together a strong performance which pleased the coaching and medical staff.
Rohan found the footy nine times and kicked a goal. His game time was managed in the 110-point rout at Coorparoo, with Rohan providing his usual energy and pressure around the footy in wet and slippery conditions.
Swans NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw said the veteran of 61 matches did everything right in his first competitive game of football this year and set strong foundations in his ongoing push for a senior recall.
“Gaz got through the game really well. It was more of an eye test this week – he’s done enough fitness to be where he’s at,” Shaw said.
“He really contributed, attacked the game really well, did the hard things and got involved defensively, so we’re happy with him.”
Rohan was one of eight individual goal-kickers in the 20.15 (135) to 3.7 (25) win with Dean Towers and Matt Wilson* finishing on top of that list with five goals apiece.
A bevy of Swans including Towers (24 disposals, six tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s), Rose (18 disposals), Brandon Jack (19 disposals, nine tackles) will also be in the Match Committee’s mind when the senior selectors meet ahead of Saturday’s AFL clash with Essendon at the SCG.
“All those fellas hit the scoreboard but it was their defensive pressure which allowed them to do that,” Shaw said.
“All of our guys worked hard both sides of the ball, which allowed us to score goals. Across the board, the boys’ pressure and intensity allowed us to play good footy and not let Brisbane into the game.”
After leading by only seven points at quarter-time, Shaw’s men put the foot down to kick 16 unanswered goals while restricting the Lions to just five behinds for the rest of the match.
The NEAFL Swans remain undefeated on top of the ladder, a game clear of last year’s grand finalists NT Thunder and Aspley.
The focus this week will be on Blacktown International Sportspark for Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast.
Originally scheduled for Drummoyne Oval, the match has since been moved to BISP with the first bounce scheduled for 11.30am.
