A lack of hunger for the contest ultimately cost the NEAFL Swans against the GWS Giants in Saturday's curtain-raiser, according to defender Colin O'Riordan.
The NEAFL Swans were outplayed by their cross-town rivals in a windy low-scoring Round 17 affair at the SCG.
It was only their second loss for the season, but it was a disappointing one in that there were wasted opportunities aplenty in the 4.19 (43) to 10.8 (68) result.
A goalless third quarter was only the tip of the iceberg as the Swans failed to replicate the same intensity which has earmarked an otherwise dominant season to date.
While the wind clearly had an effect on disposal, O'Riordan says it was the side's usual hardness and contested style rather than converted opportunities that was lacking.
"We're not using the conditions as an excuse," O'Riordan said.
"GWS were out there as well and we were able to kick a winning score.
"Yes, we didn't make the most of our opportunities, but mainly we weren't hard at the contest.
"They got on top of us in the contested ball and we couldn't go with them."
Goals were difficult to come by in what was a genuine arm-wrestle for most of the morning.
The NEAFL Swans, averaging 122 points a game, could only muster 2.8 to half-time then failed to add another goal until five minutes into the final term. At that point the Giants were leading by a game-high 23 points.
The home side's accuracy failed to improve. In fact, the Swans' kicked 0.7 to the Giants' 3.2 to end the quarter and match.
Both O'Riordan (23 disposals, six marks) and Nic Newman (29 disposals, six marks, five tackles, nine rebound 50s) were shining lights in a side while Toby Nankervis battled hard in the ruck in a side lacking its usual AFL-listed experience.
Even with the services of veterans Ted Richards (18 disposals) and Ben McGlynn (22 disposals, two goals), who were solid contributors, the ladder leaders were missing that vital strong presence around the footy.
An unprecedented 14 top-ups from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy featured, including debutants Jared Deep and Jack Hardman.
Hardman, 16, became the youngest player to debut for the NEAFL Swans this season.
The NEAFL Swans have the bye this weekend, alongside three other clubs, then will set their sights on Brisbane on August 6 at the SCG in the first of three remaining rounds before finals.
SYDNEY 1.4 2.8 2.12 4.19 (43)
GIANTS 2.3 5.4 7.5 10.8 (68)
GOALS – Sydney: B McGlynn 2, J Hiscox, M Wilson Giants: J Stewart 3, W Hoskin-Elliott 2, M Flynn, F Carrol, L Whitfield, C Byrne, A Paech.
BEST – Sydney: N Newman, T Nankervis, C O’Riordan, D Baron-Hay, R Hebron Giants: M Buntine, J Finlayson, J Barrett, W Hoskin-Elliott, P McKenna, D Simpson.
