The Sydney Swans VFL side have secured a convincing 29-point victory over the Collingwood Magpies in Round 20 of the VFL competition.
With the red and white season in the balance, and still a chance to progress into the finals pending other results over the final two rounds of the regular home and away season, the Swans were impressive in their 11.8.74 to 6.9.45 victory at Tramway Oval.
A fast start by the Swans was quickly clawed back when with the Pies rallied in the second term to take a lead into the half time break.
Returning from a stint in the AFL last week, Peter Ladhams had the first two goals of the game before Sam Wicks, who also returned to the VFL line up, kicked his first major of the afternoon.
“It was a really impressive performance,” Sydney Swans VFL coach Damian Truslove said with pride after the win.
“Collingwood had a really strong team which was always going to challenge us, but I thought our boys stuck to the plan really well around our contest and how we used the ball was really impressive.
“Collingwood's second quarter was outstanding and their pressure was really good. They tried to take away our uncontested marks early and they pressed on us hard, so credit to them, they were really good in the second quarter to take a lead at half time.
“We reset, we got back to the plan that we wanted to, we went into the game with and the boys executed really well in that third quarter.”
The Swans kicked six goals to one in the third quarter, to extend their lead to 20 points before keeping the Pies goalless in the final term.
Forward Joel Hamling and Ladhams (24 disposals and 19 hit outs) both kicked three majors across the afternoon, while Lachlan McAndrew, Joe Harrison, Jordan Endemann and Ben Edwards also kicked goals.
Young mid Angus Sheldrick saw plenty of the footy, with a game high 36 disposals and seven clearances, while Caleb Mitchell (28 touches and three tackles), Aaron Francis (26 touches), Corey Warner (25 touches and 7 clearances) were all strong.
“Wicksy, Pete, Corey and Aaron all came back with a really good attitude just to get to work and get better and keep knocking on the door of the AFL team and I thought they were all fantastic today,” Truslove said.
“Their attitude to crack in and work hard and support their teammates was excellent.”
The Swans will face the second placed Bulldogs next week, needing a win and results to go their way if they are to continue to progress past the regular home and away season.
The Swans currently sit 11th on the ladder.
“I think most of the year we've played a good brand of footy but we've had little lapses here and there and today we had a lapse in the second quarter,” Truslove said on the mindset heading into next week.
“So next week the focus is let's put a four quarter performance together against a very strong opposition in the Bulldogs. If we can do that we'll be a chance to win the game.”
