The Swans went into their first clash with the Tigers since last September’s Grand Final at Manuka Oval down on firepower, with Mitch Morton, Tim Membrey, Tommy Walsh and Andrejs Everitt - the Swans four leading goalkickers for the season – all missing.
But, after featuring in last weekend’s trip to the MCG with the senior side, it didn’t take long for Jesse White to take control of the game and make an impact on the scoreboard – kicking five of the Swans’ 12 first-half goals, and finishing with 10 for the match.
The overwhelming majority of White’s goals came after strong marks inside the forward 50, but he also showed his skills at ground level when he pounced on a loose ball in the second quarter and finished with an incredible snap from 45 metres out, tight in on the Randwick End’s right forward pocket.
Long set-shot goals from Jed Lamb and Daniel Robinson were the other majors for the Swans in the first quarter, and the hosts were away quickly to an unattainable lead - if not a little wasteful in front of goal.
Where it was some of the Swans’ listed players who got the team going in the first quarter, top-up players Jordan Weir and James Dunn helped stretch the lead early in the second term. Weir doing some fine work deep in the forward 50 with two consecutive goals, both from classy snaps.
Lamb then showed composure in a tight situation in attack to find Tom Mitchell who goaled from a long set-shot, before White palmed down to Jake Lloyd who snapped truly from 40 metres out, giving the home side a commanding 76-point half-time lead.
After adding one point to their lead at the start of the second half, the Swans conceded their first goal of the match at the 11-minute mark of the third term after Queanbeyan’s Will Griggs was awarded a 50-metre penalty in a marking contest with Harry Marsh. Griggs made no mistake from the goal-line.
Buoyed by their opening goal, the Tigers upped their game and traded goals with the Swans during the third quarter, until White hauled in two big grabs late in the term, converting the set-shot on both occasions to give the Swans an 89-point lead at the final change.
Similarly to the third term, both teams traded goals in the final term, before the Swans broke away late. White added three more to take his tally to double figures, while a late Marsh snap was one of the highlights of the game.
Mitchell played an outstanding game, constantly gathering possessions and working hard to link up with teammates through the middle of the ground and into attack, while the team’s defensive pressure around the ball – especially in the first half – would have pleased coach Jared Crouch.
The Sydney Swans reserves will look to consolidate their position atop the Eastern Conference ladder when they take to the road next weekend to travel south to face Ainslie on Saturday afternoon at Ainslie Oval.
Sydney Swans reserves 4.7 12.9 17.11 23.13 151
Queanbeyan 0.3 0.5 3.6 5.8 38
Goals – White 10, Robinson 2, Weir 2, Jaffer-Williams 2, Lamb, Mitchell, Dunn, Lloyd, Wray, Gilbert, Marsh
