Swans defender Colin O’Riordan has again thrown his hand in the air for an AFL debut, producing his best game of the season as Sydney soared to a 46-point win over GWS in Wollongong on Saturday.
The third-year Swan was outstanding across half-back at North Dalton Park, while Nic Newman, Harry Marsh and Darcy Cameron also fired in the 10.15 (75) to 4.5 (29) victory.
O’Riordan collected 37 touches, 11 marks and two goals and again showed admirable poise off the boot and in cutting off the opposition’s go-forward.
Newman (37 possessions, seven marks) and Marsh (33 disposals, nine marks) starred in defence and the midfield, while Cameron tallied 24 touches, 32 hit-outs, eight marks and a goal as the Swans banked an eighth win in a row.
Development coach Tadhg Kennelly said he was thrilled with the performances of the star quartet.
“When you’ve got your best in O’Riordan and Marsh and Newman really going well the rest are going to roll on with them,” Kennelly said.
“Their attitude and professionalism were right on the money and that’s what you want from your leaders and that’s what we saw today.
“O’Riordan has been close to an AFL call-up for a while now and he keeps knocking the door down. Him and Darcy Cameron have been our two most consistent players all year.”
Sam Reid ran out for his second game in a return from a quad injury but played no part after quarter-time due to Achilles tightness.
He last week played his first game since the senior side’s match with GWS in Round 3, fronting up against the Brisbane Lions in Blacktown.
Kennelly said the Swans erred on the side of caution in Wollongong.
“He was just a bit sore and we didn’t want to risk him,” Kennelly said.
“He’s still coming back from a major surgery. There’s no point pushing someone of his quality. We’ll assess his injury and hopefully he’ll be right for next week. He’ll get back to the medicos and we’ll see what he can do.”
In further news on the medical front, young midfielder Jordan Foote suffered concussion in the opening term and didn’t play after quarter-time either.
But despite the limited game time of Reid and Foote, the Swans led at every change en route to the percentage-boosting win.
Tough on-baller Jordan Dawson again staked his claims for a senior recall in a return of 23 possessions and seven tackles, while defender Alex Johnson raked in 17 touches and barked all day in a highly promising display.
The return from injury of exciting forward Toby Pink was another positive, with the youngster banking 60 minutes of game time and bagging two goals in his first match of the season.
“It was a good return from Pinky,” Kennelly said.
“He looked sharp. He was coming back from a difficult injury but his ability in front of goal was on show. He looked dangerous for us up forward and we’ll look for him to build on his 60 minutes.”
Sydney is now set to meet the Northern Territory Thunder in the Top End next Saturday as it shoots for nine wins on the trot.
Sydney Swans 2.3 3.11 6.13 10.15 (75)
GWS Giants 1.2 3.4 3.5 4.5 (29)
Goals - Sydney: C O'Riordan 2, J Bell 2, T Pink 2, D Cameron, J Brown, B Stewart, M Rogers
