The NEAFL Swans are back on the winners' list after defeating Aspley by 63 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.
Seven days after suffering their first loss of the season, going down to GWS by one point in Round 11 curtain-raiser, the NEAFL Swans bounced back in a big way with a resounding win against last year's grand finalists.
Spearheaded again by an ability to impact the scoreboard despite the wet conditions, the NEAFL Swans set the tone in the opening quarter before holding off any challenges from the Hornets to run out 16.14 (110) to 7.5 (47) victors.
They kicked six goals to one in the first term before putting the game beyond doubt with four unanswered majors in the third, to record their 11th win of the season and move three wins clear on top of the ladder.
"The boys played really well against a really quality side in Aspley,” coach Rhyce Shaw said post-match.
"We knew we were up for a fight today and the boys got themselves up for it, and we played some good footy."
Midfielder Jordan Foote led the charge through the midfield, Sam Naismith was the pick of the ruckmen, while defender Nic Newman dominated across half-back to continue his superb season to date.
Jordan Dawson (three goals) topped a list of 12 individual goal-kickers for the Swans while Xavier Richards and Tom Derickx (two goals each) provided two tall targets up forward.
The NEAFL Swans were also boosted by some AFL regulars with Ted Richards and Harry Cunningham featuring, with the latter chipping in with a goal.
Tom Papley played his first game in his return from shin soreness, clocking about 60-80 minutes. The first-year forward has missed the past three senior games after stringing together eight consecutive AFL appearances since debuting in Round 1 against Collingwood.
The NEAFL Swans are perfectly placed going into the bye. They are one of two clubs to have the break this weekend in the NEAFL, with the other being Aspley. It gives reigning premier NT Thunder an opportunity to close the gap on the ladder leaders.
Shaw believes the week off will give the playing group time to recharge for a big finish to the season.
"We’ve been looking forward to it (the bye)," he added.
"We had a couple of injuries in both the seniors and reserves last week and hopefully it will give those guys a chance to come back and top up the numbers for the second half of the season.
"We’re really looking forward to that challenge."
SYDNEY 6.3 8.4 12.9 16.14 (110)
ASPLEY 1.2 3.4 3.5 7.5 (47)
GOALS – Sydney: J Dawson 3, T Derickx, X Richards 2, J Brown, H Cunningham, J Hiscox, B Jack, S Naismith, C O’Riordan, T Papley, N Reinhard, M Wilson. Aspley: D Bevan, M Payne 2, S Gribble, J Ives.
BEST – Sydney: J Foote, X Richards, N Newman, S Naismith, S Murray. Aspley: M Payne, J Allen, M Little, D Henderson.
