Sydney Swans defender Jarrad McVeigh made a successful return from injury on Friday, his class shining in the NEAFL Swans' convincing win against Sydney Uni at the SCG.
McVeigh collected 19 disposals (11 contested), six clearances, laid seven tackles and kicked two goals in the team's 15.16 (106) to 9.10 (64) triumph to put his name back into senior calculations following a recent stint on the sidelines.
The 32-year-old missed the previous five weeks after suffering a calf strain in the Swans' Round 8 clash with North Melbourne.
His appearance for the NEAFL Swans, a first for more than a decade, came as Rhyce Shaw's men aimed for a 10th-straight victory.
The 52-point win, sealed in a strong final term, moved the NEAFL Swans a game clear of the Students on top of the ladder with eight rounds to go in the season.
McVeigh played a huge role, his touch not the only impressive part of his game.
"He (McVeigh) is a classy player, and he is just a good head to have out there," emerging midfielder Jordan Dawson told NEAFL.com.au post-match.
Dawson had another best-on-ground performance and will join McVeigh as another possible inclusion for the AFL side's trip to Melbourne this weekend.
His 25 disposals, nine marks, nine tackles and two goals extends what's been a purple patch of form for the South Australian native.
"I'm just trying to play consistent footy in the NEAFL and bide my time a bit," he added. "The team is playing awesome and everyone is playing well, so it’s good to keep winning."
McVeigh gives chase to Sydney Uni's Tom Young in Friday night's clash at the SCG.
The NEAFL Swans didn't have it all their own way on Friday with the Students putting up a fight in the clubs' second encounter of the season.
After looking well in control with a ..-point half-time lead, the NEAFL Swans took the foot off the pedal somewhat and allowed the Students to kick five goals to two in the third quarter which cut the deficit back to just 16 points.
A rev up from Shaw at the final break breathed life into the playing group and it was all one-way traffic from then one, the home side piling on six goals to two to give the home crowd the perfect precursor into Friday night's classic.
"We knew it was going to be a tough match – they are pretty hard and contested team – so we just knew we had to bring it,” Dawson continued.
“We had a few lapses and they capitalised on that. Coming out of the half-time break, we started a bit slow and credit to them, they came out harder than us and they got on top.
“We were pretty disappointed at three-quarter time and ‘Shawry’ gave us a bit of a spray, so we were pretty happy to turn it around in the last.”
Ben Ronke, in only his second game in red and white, chipped in with three goals while Sam Murray (25 disposals, one goal), Jordan Foote (20 disposals at 80 per cent effectiveness) and Shaun Edwards (22 disposals, six clearances, seven inside 50s) also impressed.
The NEAFL Swans take on Canberra Demons in the nation's capital on Saturday.
SYDNEY SWANS 2.2 7.8 9.11 15.16 (106)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2.2 2.4 7.7 9.10 (64)
GOALS – Sydney: B Ronke 3, J McVeigh, R Fox, J Dawson 2, J Foote, T Leonardis, B Jack, B Stewart, S Murray, J Rose. Sydney University: T Young, J Derickx 2, T Ayton, J Brain, M Manteit, S Tagliabue, J Hiscox.
BEST – Sydney: B Ronke, J Foote, S Murray, B Jack, J Dawson, S Wicks. Sydney University: S Tagliabue, T Young, R Hebron, M Rawlinson, W Sierakowski.
