Blossoming Sydney Swans midfielder Ryan Clarke produced a dazzling performance as his side fell to the Brisbane Lions in a 67-point loss on Saturday afternoon.
Although the Swans conceded six goals to one in the opening term and never managed to get within striking distance, Clarke posted a match-high 47 disposals in the 14.17 (101) to 4.10 (34) defeat at South Pine Sports Complex.
Clarke, who made a switch from North Melbourne to Sydney via last October’s trade period and has since played four senior games, led the way for the Swans’ midfield brigade in the Round 5 fixture.
Sydney’s James Rose (28 disposals, two goals) and Colin O’Riordan (41 touches) also fired, but the Swans were left to rue a lack of contributors on the Queensland visit.
Sydney development coach Jeremy Laidler said he was impressed with Clarke’s game on return to the NEAFL.
“Ryan was good. Him and a handful of others can hold their heads up high,” Laidler told Swans Media.
“He had a crack all day. Once he found his feet his hit and hardness were there all day. It was a good response to being omitted from the senior side.”
Ruckman Darcy Cameron was another of the Swans’ best, with the 23-year-old gathering 22 possessions and 40 hit-outs.
The 205-centimetre Swan squared off with Brisbane’s Archie Smith in the ruck, who’s played nine games in the AFL – and Laidler said he handled the tough assignment really well.
“Darcy worked really hard today and I thought overall, with around-the-ground stoppages and his work rate, he was definitely very strong,” Laidler said.
“He’s certainly building after an interrupted pre-season.”
First-year midfielder James Rowbottom proved another fierce competitor on his way to 27 touches, while young fleet-footed backman Ryley Stoddart (21 disposals, one goal) was also strong.
And young speedster Matt Ling continued to rise in his recovery from a long-term battle with a broken toe, with the Swans’ number one 2017 draft pick playing three quarters of footy.
“‘Lingy’ is slowly building his game time each week,” Laidler said.
“We’re not putting too much pressure on him because he’s still finding his feet after missing a long period of time due to his injury, but his game time is slowly increasing which is pleasing.”
The Swans are now set for a cross-city duel with Sydney University at Marrickville’s Henson Park next Saturday afternoon, and Laidler says there are a number of areas in which his side will need to improve.
“We were very patchy today. We came out of the blocks really slowly, and when you give 20 AFL-listed players a chance to get on the front foot early, it gives them a lot of confidence going forward,” Laidler said.
“I thought in the second quarter we matched them and pulled them apart a little bit, but after half-time we were quite disappointing. Our work rate was quite poor, we didn’t have enough contributors and they had an even spread of players on board.”
Brisbane Lions 6.2 8.6 11.13 14.17 (101)
Sydney Swans 1.2 3.6 3.8 4.10 (34)
Goals – Sydney: J Rose 2, J Amartey, R Stoddart
