It was a much closer contest between the Sydney Swans reserves and GWS in today’s practice match at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Despite defeating the Giants reserves side by 118 points in last week’s round one clash, the Swans took out the match by 26 points, against what was a much stronger and more experienced GWS side, which included captain Luke Power and ruckman Dean Brogan.

Swans reserves coach Jared Crouch said this week’s game was an opportunity for some of his team’s inexperienced players to take on more senior opponents.

“It was different to round one,” he said.

“GWS had a lot of senior players coming back from injury in Luke Power and
Dean Brogan, who are two premiership players, and they also played Dylan Shiel, Jack Hombsch and Dom Tyson, so it was a different looking side from last week.

“Last week Brett Meredith, Dylan McNeil and Shane Biggs all ran well through the midfield against the younger GWS players, so this week it was a good challenge for them against tough senior players, and they played very well.

“It was really good for our young players to get a contest against senior AFL players.”

Crouch said the Swans were impressive in the first half, leading by six goals at the long break.

“Very early we were very good with our structures and the boys played very well,” he said.

“It was set up in the first half and the boys played some very good football and it was eight goals to two at half time and we ended up winning 15 goals to nine.”

Crouch highlighted the performance of Mark Seaby in the ruck and also commended the performances of his team’s forward line.

“Mark Seaby played really well, and it was really important for him to get a hit out against a hard ruckman in Dean Brogan,” he said.

“Tommy Walsh took some good marks up forward and Jesse White was good playing in the ruck and up forward and there was good depth.”

He also said Tony Armstrong’s return to football was encouraging.
“Tony played his first game for the club and it was great to see him running around,” he said.

“It’s certainly fantastic when you’re sitting in the coach’s box and can hear a player yelling and screaming and demanding the football, so that was great.
That’s what you want to hear.

“He was very excited to be out there and was using that enthusiasm.”
Dan Hannebery and Harry Cunningham were also among the Swans players who had a run ahead of next week's clash with Fremantle at the SCG.

The final score was 15.3 (93) to 9.13 (67)