Sydney ruckman Darcy Cameron led the way as the Swans remained in the hunt for the minor premiership on Saturday, inspiring the red and white to a 56-point win over GWS at Spotless Stadium.
The 15.18 (108) to 7.10 (52) victory means Sydney remains locked on 44 competition points with the first-placed Southport Sharks, third-placed Aspley Hornets and fourth-placed Sydney University in the race for the minor premiership.
The second-placed Swans will need to beat the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday and rein in a deficit in percentage to pip the Sharks on the line.
A host of players put the Swans in the position to do so but Cameron blazed the trail in the win over the Giants, collecting 22 disposals, 53 hit-outs and seven marks in the Round 20 contest.
Young Swans wingman Angus Styles was full of praise for the 204-centimetre big man.
“Darcy has been great all year,” Styles said.
“He’s been really strong and he’s been a real presence, especially with his long down-the-line kicks. He’s been taking some really strong intercept marks too.”
Veteran defender Heath Grundy finished with 28 possessions and 12 marks in a strong return to football, while speedster Gary Rohan snared a goal and got through the game unscathed.
Up-and-coming backman Colin O’Riordan gathered 30 touches, eight marks and a goal, while Dean Towers (30 disposals, one goal) and forward James Rose (23 touches) also fired.
But while the AFL-listed players steered the ship, a number of QBE Sydney Swans Academy stars made important contributions.
Seven Academy members were among a total of 13 goal-kickers, with Draft-bound forward Cooper Kilpatrick slotting a double.
Styles said the wide spread of contributors pointed to a team effort.
“It doesn’t matter who’s there – everyone’s willing to step up and take responsibility,” Styles said.
“It also shows a lot of unselfishness, with everyone wanting to get the ball to whoever’s in the best position.”
The Swans trailed at quarter-time but pegged things back through a four-goal-to-one second term.
They led by 19 points at the main break and slammed on nine second-half goals to the Giants’ three to round out the win.
The Swans topped contested possession (167-133), clearances (48-34) and inside 50s (65-46) as they pencilled in back-to-back wins.
Styles said development coaches Tadhg Kennelly and Jeremy Laidler were rapt with the performance of their troops.
“Tadhg and Jeremy were very happy with how we went,” Styles said.
“The message from the outset over the past couple of weeks has been we’re harder for longer in terms of our intent and hit around the ball. We’ve been really getting on top in the contested areas.
“We’re really pleased we were able to blow away the Giants in the second half.”
Young guns James Bell (21 disposals, two goals) and Jake Brown (22 touches) played key roles in the win, while Styles found the ball 19 times and impressed with his speed and aerobic capacity.
The Swans recruited Styles from the Sandringham Dragons via pick 14 at last November’s Rookie Draft.
He’s worked closely with Kennelly, Laidler and midfield coaches Brett Kirk and Dean Cox in his first season in red and white.
The 19-year-old is pleased with his performance in the Giants clash and says he’s slotted in well at the Swans.
“I’ve had to really hone in on my defensive game over the past couple of weeks,” Styles said.
“I’ve been working really hard on that. Then on top of that I was able to get a bit of the ball in my hands on Saturday.”
“I’ve found myself really settled over the past six months and I’m really enjoying my time at the Club. That translates to being able to focus on what I need to be doing and I’m really enjoying my footy.”
Sydney Swans 2.5 6.11 11.15 15.18 (108)
GWS Giants 3.3 4.4 5.5 7.10 (52)
Goals – Sydney Swans: J Bell 2, C Kilpatrick 2, D Cameron, D Towers, G Rohan, S Wicks, C O’Riordan, J Stern, J Reinhard, M Rogers, R Stoddart, S Thorne, B Stewart
