The Sydney Swans reserves have started the second half of the season with a strong 148-point win over Sydney University at the SCG this afternoon.

Jared Crouch's side went into the game on top of the NEAFL Eastern Conference table with five successive wins leading into last weekend’s bye, and they picked up where they left off, with a dominant display after quarter time setting up a comprehensive win over an improved University outfit.

The Swans got off to an impressive start, opening up with a formidable forward line boasting AFL-experienced players in Mitch Morton, Trent Dennis-Lane, Tommy Walsh, Matt Spangher, Nick Malceski and Nathan Gordon, and either Mark Seaby or Jesse White resting forward when the other tall was in the ruck.

The move paid dividends early as the Swans kicked four of the game’s first five goals as they looked like blowing the contest apart by quarter time. To Sydney Uni’s credit, they fought back strongly in the latter stages of the opening term, kicking two consecutive goals to bring the margin down to 10 points at the first break.

However, from the opening bounce of the second quarter, Jackson Potter drilled a pass to the leading Morton on his chest, and a resultant 50 metre penalty saw Morton kick his second within 30 seconds of the re-start. Quick successive goals then followed to Gordon, Dylan McNeil and another to Morton - this time from a classy snap.

Harry Cunningham dribbled through his first of the game from tight-in on the boundary after some brilliant lead-up play from the Swans defence involving Dennis-Lane, Spangher and Malceski in what was the team highlight of the first half and the Swans had the break they were looking for.

When Spangher and White quickly followed with set shot goals, the Swans had opened up a nine-goal lead within 20 minutes of the start of the second term.

Sydney Uni again fought back late in the second term with two goals either side of a Jesse White banana snap to reduce the margin at the long break to an even 50 points.

With Trent Dennis-Lane withdrawn from the match at half time for senior emergency duties, the Swans had the luxury of introducing Tom Mitchell into the game in the second half. Mitchell had two important touches in his first minute, with one of them leading to Shane Biggs’ first goal. It was great reward for Biggs who had been an important player for the Swans in the first half with some great touch on both sides of his body.

The Swans continued their form for the remainder of the second half, sharing the goals around and restricting the visitors’ options going forward as they outscored their opponents by 98 points in the second half.

After being omitted from the senior side last night, Nick Malceski was a key player for the Swans with his skills by foot a step above, setting up countless Swans attacks throughout the game.

The forward pairing of Morton and Gordon - who combined for 20 straight goals the last time the two teams met- were again the dominant forwards on the ground, each contributing over five goals for the victors. They received great support from key talls White and Spangher who both contributed multiple goals as well.

The Swans reserves are in action in Sydney again next weekend, when they take on UWS ahead of the second Sydney Derby against the Swans seniors and GWS at ANZ Stadium. The reserves match kicks off at 4pm.

Sydney Swans reserves        4.5    12.10    21.14    28.20 (188)
Sydney Uni                            3.1       5.2        5.3          6.4 (40)

Goal Kickers: M. Morton 6, N. Gordon 5, M. Spangher 4, J. White 3, H. Cunningham 2, T. Mitchell 2, T. Walsh, M. Seaby, T. Dennis-Lane, S. Biggs, J. Lynch, D. McNeil
Best Players: S. Biggs, T. Dennis-Lane, H. Cunningham, J. Moore, J. Dunn, M. Morton