The Gold Coast Suns have prevailed with a 29-point victory over a gutsy Sydney Swans VFL side that fielded just four AFL-listed players and three QBE Sydney Swans Academy talents.

Hayden McLean, Jack Buller,  Caiden Cleary and Blake Leidler were the only AFL-listed players featuring, while Joe Harrison, Tom Ryan and Nick Andreacchio were the three Academy players. 

Buller and McLean starred with four and two goals respectively, while James Tiddemann and Nick Shipley competed strongly from start to finish. 

The inexperience was no cause for concern for the Swans, with plenty of fresh faces embracing the challenge and taking the most of the opportunity.

VFL Coach Jarrad McVeigh said he was really impressed with the composure of a youthful Swans outfit that also competed heavily against a more experienced Suns team. 

“I was really pleased with our opening quarter and thought there were some impressive one-on-one contests that set the tone early in the first quarter,” McVeigh said.

“It was always going to be a challenge in the hot conditions but as the game progressed I was happy with how composed we were with the ball and were also able to maintain a strong presence around the contest.”

The Swans burst out of the blocks with goals to McLean and Buller in the opening term, while Tidemann found plenty of the ball early.

The Swans were relentless with their efforts around the contest and refused to shy away from a hard-fought quarter.

McLean continued show his class with another major in the second quarter - a classy set shot from 50m that sparked the Swans into an impressive period of play.

Despite trailing at the main break, McVeigh lauded the first-half performance that saw the red and white adapt to a Suns outfit moving the ball quickly off halfback. 

“It was a fast game and fatigue started to set in, but I just really wanted us to have some resolve and continue to work hard with and without the ball,” he said.

“Even though Gold Coast started to run away with the game, I thought our intent and effort was consistent and that’s all I could ask for.”

The Suns stamped their authority on the contest in the third quarter, racing away to a 39-point lead at the break, before the Swans showed their resilience with a flurry of goals in the final term.

Buller continued to dominate with three rapid-fire majors in the last quarter, while Caiden Cleary slotted a slick goal that inspired the Swans and ensured they competed until the final siren.

Despite the 29-point defeat, the team can take plenty of confidence heading into their Round 1 Match against Collingwood on Saturday, March, 22 at Victoria Park.

Goals: Buller (4), McLean (2), Cleary, Tom Ryan