Sydney Swans defender Harry Marsh has underscored the importance of the side’s fight in clawing a 30-point win over Carlton at the SCG on Friday.
The Blues took a one-point lead into half-time but the Swans would scrounge five third-term goals to the visitors’ zero to pave the way for victory in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round opener.
Slippery conditions placed a premium on the territory battle and the Swans had to grit their teeth to overcome a first-half arm wrestle.
Marsh said the Swans showed enormous steel in the Round 11 victory.
“We really stood up in the second half,” Marsh told SwansTV post-match.
“It was a really even battle in the first half and we just got back to playing our brand of footy in the second half and I think the scoreline showed that.
“It was just about getting back to basics. Our hit around the ball hadn’t been up to standard in the first half, so it was just about getting that hit and that run and just playing basic footy.”
Ruckman Callum Sinclair (22 disposals, 26 hit-outs, two goals) was one of the Swans’ best and kick-started the third-term barrage through a goal at the two-minute mark.
Star forward Lance Franklin bagged his second of three majors four minutes later and Sydney would plough on to a 27-point buffer at the final change.
At the other end of the ground, Marsh formed part of a rock-solid defence alongside the likes of evergreen backmen Heath Grundy, Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith.
The Swans have leaked an average of just 52 points over their last three games and Marsh has played an important role since earning an AFL recall for Sydney’s clash with the Brisbane Lions in Round 10.
The Western Australian answered a call off the back of outstanding form in the NEAFL and said he had enjoyed the transition.
“I love the challenge of coming up here,” Marsh said.
“It’s a bitter-sweet call-up with Callum Mills going out but the way I look at it is it’s a good opportunity to play well and try to cement my spot in the backline.
“I love playing with the guys. They’re unreal and it just makes it so much easier to slot back in.
“I feel like I’ve been around for long enough to know what’s going on and not get too frazzled by it.
“Grundy, Rampe, McVeigh, Smith, Lloyd – they’re all such experienced players. It’s so good to have them around me. It makes it a lot easier to play and gives you the confidence to do what you do.”