The Sydney Swans leadership group led the way in Saturday night’s 94-point win over cross-town rivals GWS.
Swans midfielder Kieren Jack was awarded the Brett Kirk Medal for his 33 possession, two-goal performance, while co-captain Jarrad McVeigh wouldn’t have been far behind in the votes, finishing the game with a career-high 37 disposals.
In a contrast to recent weeks, the Swans were relatively slow to start tonight’s match - although they did score the first 21 points - before dominating the second half, outscoring the Giants 11 goals to three after half time.
Speaking in the rooms after the match, McVeigh said while the team was disappointed with their slow start, they were pleased with the way they were able to run away with the game.
“It was good to come away with a good win in the end,” McVeigh told SwansTV after the match.
“We didn’t start that well, but after half time we really put the foot on the throat and ran away with a percentage booster.
Click on the video player above to watch Jarrad McVeigh speak to SwansTV in the rooms after his career-best 37 disposals
“To win by 90-odd points in the end means it’s a good week.”
McVeigh said the Swans hit in hard in the second half against GWS, who had managed to win the contested ball count in the second term.
“I think (GWS) have started games pretty well throughout the year, but we weren’t too concerned about them, it was more about us this week and we came away with a good win,” he said.
“We just cracked in and went after the ball. We weren’t doing that (in the first half) and in the contested ball in the second quarter we were convincingly beaten by (GWS) and we can’t afford that at this level.
“After half time we really cracked in hard and the results went our way.”
McVeigh praised the efforts of Jack, and said he was the clear winner of the Brett Kirk Medal.
“(Kieren Jack’s) last month has been super and he’s working both ways as well as kicking some goals too, so he’s really hurting the opposition,” he said.
“He’s a deserved winner of the medal tonight because he had a really good game.”
Speaking alongside the coach after the match, Jack said John Longmire urged the players to take control of the match after half time.
“John challenged us at half time and I think it’s up to the leaders to stand up,” he said.
“If your leaders stand up, what ends up happening is your next tier (players) start to follow, so that was critical and it starts in the middle so the midfielders were responsible and the other players jumped on board.”
At the other end of the ground, the Swans miserly defence again stood up to the challenge, keeping GWS to just five goals for the match.
Swans defender Nick Smith said the performance of key defender Teddy Richards was one of the leading players in the back six.
“I think defensively we’ve been good lately and Teddy Richards is going really well and even Marty Mattner, who got subbed out late, has been really good all year,” Smith told SwansTV.
“We’re really working well defensively I think.”
Click here to watch Nick Smith speak to SwansTV in the rooms after Saturday night's 94-point win over GWS
