Key senior cogs Sam Reid and Lewis Melican made successful returns from injury as the Sydney Swans cruised to a 29-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
Reid (quad) kicked two goals and looked sharp on the lead and overhead, while Melican (hamstring) competed well in defence as the Swans collected a 12.8 (80) to 7.9 (51) victory at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Reid and Melican banked 45 minutes of game time each in gradual returns to help the Swans to a seventh-consecutive win in the Round 13 fixture.
Young speedster James Bell (hamstring) logged 60 minutes of game time and booted two goals in a return from injury of his own as Sydney climbed from fourth to third on the ladder.
Development coach Tadhg Kennelly said the three players mounted pleasing returns.
“Reid and Melican looked fit, looked healthy,” Kennelly said.
“Melican competed really hard and Reidy was providing options. They’ll look to build on it now. They’ve had long breaks away from footy.
“Belly had a good game. His GPS stuff was through the roof. We had to play him deep in the back pocket because his GPS running was so high. All in all it was really positive for the boys returning from injury.”
Midfielder Jordan Dawson, defender Nic Newman and ruckman Darcy Cameron led the way for the Swans in strong pushes for AFL selection.
Dawson gathered 23 touches and three goals in just his third game back from injury, while Newman recorded a Swans-high 30 disposals and kicked a stunning goal on the run from outside 50.
Cameron outdid Brisbane ruckman Archie Smith in a return of 17 touches and 46 hit-outs to carry on from a sublime performance against the Gold Coast Suns in Sydney’s previous outing.
Young on-baller Jordan Foote gathered 25 possessions and brought plenty to the table with his enormous run and carry in his third game back from injury.
Backman Harry Marsh finished with 23 disposals, six tackles and a goal on return to the NEAFL, while defender Colin O’Riordan (21 touches) continued to press his claims for an AFL debut.
Kennelly said he was thrilled with the performances of a host of players pushing for senior call-ups.
“They grinded the game out,” Kennelly said.
“Brisbane had a crack at us and really came to play and it wasn’t looking too good at quarter-time. But we responded and played the style of footy we wanted to play.
“The senior boys are consistently playing well which is the key.”
The Swans trailed at quarter-time and kicked just one goal in the final stanza but earned strong return for effort across the middle quarters to pave the way for victory.
They trailed by three points at quarter-time before running in nine goals to the Lions’ three across the second and third terms, before closing out the game despite the limited minutes of Reid, Melican and Bell.
In disappointing news, the win was soured by a concussion to exciting youngster Ryley Stoddart, who left the ground in the first quarter and didn’t return.
Young gun Angus Styles also called it a day in the opening term after injuring the AC joint in his shoulder.
The Swans are now set to face the Giants at North Dalton Park in Wollongong next Saturday.
Sydney Swans 2.0 7.2 11.5 12.8 (80)
Brisbane Lions 2.3 3.5 5.6 7.9 (51)
Goals – Sydney: J Dawson 3, S Reid 2, J Bell 2, N Newman, M Kannan, H Marsh, A Johnson, S Wicks
