The Swans Reserves accounted for the Wagga Tigers at Robertson Oval in Wagga on Saturday.

The trip to Wagga is always a challenge for the Reserves, and with the heavy overnight rain it could have been a real challenge for the young Swans side, which included four top-up players from the Riverina.

Coach Stuart Maxfield made it clear before the game that a dedicated effort would be needed to win the match, and this is exactly what was delivered.

Ruckman Stephen Doyle left the game early with a knee injury, leaving the Swans with only 20 players, and this was later reduced to 19 when Stefan Garrubba received an accidental knock to the head.

After a tight first quarter, the Reserves played great wet-weather football, and with Nick Davis kicking 4 goals in the 2nd quarter, the lead was convincing at the half-way mark.

To Wagga’s credit they were competitive throughout the match, and had it not been for the willingness of the Reserves to follow instructions to put their head over the ball, and use the ball to their advantage when in possession, the final result could have been much closer.

With Doyle leaving the game early, Sam Rowe carried out the rucking duties for the remainder of the game for a best-on-ground performance.

Jonathan Simpkin was unbeaten across the half-back line, continually using the ball to great advantage, while on-ballers Nick Malceski and Tim Schmidt showed great class in difficult conditions.

First-year rookies Adam Prior and Ed Barlow played their best games for the Swans, in a very good overall team performance.

The Swans Reserves next match is against Tuggeranong at the SCG on Saturday July 22 at 3.50pm as the curtain raiser to the Swans v Richmond game.

Final Scores:
Swans Reserves- 2.5 (17) 10.6 (66) 14.10 (94) 19.11 (125)
Wagga Tigers- 3.2 (20) 5.4 (34) 5.8 (38) 7.10 (52)

Goals:
Davis 6; Jack, Thornton, Laidlaw 3; Woden, Schmidt, Prior, Currie 1

Best:
Rowe, Simpkin, Malceski, Prior, Schmidt, Barlow

Team:
Davis N, Willoughby, Malceski, Doyle, Laidlaw, Thornton, Simpkin, Brabazon, Wall, Schmidt, Currie, Barlow, Garrubba, Davis M, Rowe, Jack, Prior.