The Swans Reserves beat the AIS/AFL Squad by 19 points in their final practice match of the pre-season at Blacktown on Saturday.
Matthew O’Dwyer and rookie Dylan McNeil were the Swans’ best players, playing on ball, while Patrick Veszpremi (half back / on ball), Daniel Currie (ruck) and Campbell Heath (half back) also impressed. Gary Rohan, who was drafted at number six in the 2009 draft, was also in the best.
Throughout the first quarter the Swans dominated in the ruck and with strong running. Henry Playfair kicked the first goal for the Swans five minutes into the first term and two minutes later Mike Pyke had their second from a free kick. O’Dwyer kicked his first as a result of some smart ruck work while 2009 draftee Sam Reid goaled after Rohan caused a turnover. At the end of the first quarter the Swans led by 27 points.
The AIS/AFL Squad trimmed the margin to 26 by half time after both sides managed four goals in the second quarter. Rohan was first, goaling on the run just two minutes in before Playfair kicked his second goal. Top-up player Daniel Spiteri was the third goal scorer for the quarter after a free kick at the 18 minute mark and 24 minutes into the quarter Playfair kicked his third from the boundary line.
Currie and Paul Bevan were superb in the third quarter where the Swans and the AFL/AIS Squad kicked three goals apiece. O’Dwyer snapped his second from the goal square while Bevan goaled twice in two minutes from strong marks on the lead. At three quarter time the AIS/AFL Squad had pegged the margin back to 25 points.
Bevan opened the final term with his third goal for the Swans and at the 13 minute mark Taylor Gilchrist kicked the Swans’ final goal for the game. The AIS/AFL Squad kicked three for the quarter to again narrow the margin.
The AIS/AFL Squad put in a good performance but were understandably beaten in the ruck by the bigger bodies of Currie and Pyke.
The AFL Canberra season starts next week, with the Swans Reserves facing Belconnen on Saturday 10 April at the SCG at 3.50pm. The game is the curtain raiser for the Swans and Richmond game at 7.10pm.
Final Score:
Swans Reserves - 4.4 (28) 8.6 (54) 11.9 (75) 13.11 (89)
AIS/AFL Squad - 0.1 (1) 4.4 (28) 7.8 (50) 10.10 (70)
Goals:
Bevan, Playfair 3; O’Dwyer 2; Gilchrist, Pyke, Reid, Rohan, Spiteri 1
Best:
O’Dwyer, McNeil, Veszpremi, Currie, Heath, Rohan
Games at the SCG are electrifying. See the Swans take on Richmond this Saturday night. Grab your tickets now at www.ticketek.com.au. Please note first bounce for our Round 3 fixture Sydney Swans v Richmond is 7.10pm. Gates open at 3.45pm.
