The first-year Sydney Swans enjoyed a day to treasure as they celebrated their first wins in red and white in a 29-point opening-round victory over GWS at Giants Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Young Swans James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney, Zac Foot, Harry Reynolds, Sam Wicks, Ryan Clarke and Hayden McLean all fired in the 15.19 (109) to 12.8 (80) victory, setting the stage for an ear-splitting debut rendition of the club song in the sheds.

Rowbottom, who’s impressed as a hard-at-it inside midfielder in his early days at the Swans, spent most of his time in the forward line in Saturday’s clash, but the 18-year-old Oakleigh Chargers product still managed to gather 31 possessions.

McInerney finished with 19 touches and a goal of his own in a stand-out performance on a wing and at half-back, and Foot posted 22 disposals and two goals.

QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate Wicks collected 15 disposals and two majors, while at the other end of the ground Reynolds gave the Giants’ forwards little room to move.

Sydney development coach Jeremy Laidler loved what he saw in Rowbottom as a forward, and he’s rapt with how the entire band of first-year Swans are faring.

“‘Rowy’ is an absolute bull around the contest. His inside stuff is really special and so is his follow-up stuff; his second and third efforts have been the most pleasing things about his game. But he’s adding a few strings to his bow now,” Laidler told Swans Media.

“We know how good he is on the inside of the midfield contest, but throwing him forward today showed he’s very clearly a natural footballer. He’s been playing really good football ever since he arrived at the club.

“The first-year players across the board have been a pleasure to work with. They’ve grasped every opportunity that’s risen in front of them, they’re really taking their games to another level and they’re learning all the time and developing really well. They’ve been sponges around the club, they’re playing to their strengths, they’re having fun and they’re enjoying their footy.”

Sydney’s Lewis Melican, Colin O’Riordan and Clarke all logged rock-solid games after being omitting from the senior side.

Melican was strong in defence, and O’Riordan found the footy 26 times and injected penetrating drive off half-back, while Clarke tallied 27 disposals.

Former Kangaroo Clarke, who’s renowned for enormous endurance capacity and has largely slotted in on a wing since arriving at the Swans via last October’s trade period, shouldered plenty of minutes at the coalface of the contest in the Sydney Derby stoush.

Hoping to one day join Clarke on Sydney’s list is a host of Academy stars who also played important roles in the win, with Cooper Kilpatrick the pick of the lot in a stellar three-goal performance.

In further pleasing signs, 248-game Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack (22 disposals, one goal) produced another excellent game in his recovery from off-season groin surgery, with the former Swans co-captain enjoying his third outing of the year on top of two NEAFL practice matches. 

Sydney livewire James Rose is also eyeing a return to senior footy, and the 22-year-old shone in a performance stamped with 39 possessions and four goals.

“You could see how much Kieren thrives around the contest and how good he is inside, but his pressure on the outside is a big key to his game,” Laidler said.

“His attitude has been outstanding in the NEAFL, and he’s been building his game each week, but hopefully he cracks back into the senior side soon.

“And James Rose has been working really hard on his game over the past year and through the pre-season. It was pleasing that he found a lot of the ball and hit the scoreboard. He took his opportunities and produced.”

The game was in the balance as the Swans took a 17-point lead into three-quarter time, before Sydney ran in five goals to the home side’s four in the final stanza.

Laidler was thrilled with his side’s start to the season.

“You always want to come away with the win in Round 1 and start building momentum going forward,” Laidler said.

“We’ll review this game and then start looking ahead to next week’s match against the Gold Coast Suns. It’s now about building on a strong first game against GWS.” 

The Swans will travel north to face the Suns at Metricon Stadium in Round 2 next Sunday morning.

Sydney Swans 4.7 7.9 10.12 15.19 (109)

GWS 2.1 7.4 8.7 12.8 (80)

Goals – Sydney: J Rose 4, C Kilpatrick 3, Z Foot 2, S Wicks 2, K Jack, J McInerney, M Rossman, C Wilson