The Sydney Swans Reserves have suffered their ninth loss of the season to ladder leaders Belconnen, going down by 16 points at the SCG in perfect conditions.

The Swans were in front by two points at three quarter time but the loss of best on ground Tim Schmidt, in the second quarter after he tore a hamstring, and Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring tightness) and Leo Barry (had completed his allocated playing time) at three quarter time hurt them.  

Matthew O’Dwyer was the Swans’ best playing on ball and at half back, collecting 43 possessions. Nathan Gordon, 27 possessions, on the wing and at half forward, and Patrick Veszpremi at half back with 32 possessions were also impressive. Kristin Thornton and Ryan Brabazon were also named in the best. Thornton played in the midfield and at half back and Brabazon spent the game in the midfield.

Laidlaw kicked the first goal of the game in the first minute from 30 metres on a severe angle but a turn over three minutes later resulted in Belconnen’s first goal. After an arm wrestle that lasted for 15 minutes Belconnen kicked three more goals, one from a free kick and one after the siren, to be 14 points in front of the Swans at the first break.

Laidlaw opened the second quarter with a goal, eight minutes in, on the run from 20 metres and top-up player James Metcalfe followed suite with a left-foot goal from 30 metres at the 17 minute mark. Veszpremi kicked the next goal, five minutes later, after a mark 60 metres from goal but Belconnen kicked another two before half time to put the margin to 13 points at the main break.

Once again the Swans opened the goal scoring in the second half with Gordon kicking a goal from 45 metres after a strong mark. Bevan kicked his second a minute later on the run from 20 metres and a goal to O’Dwyer from a mark 40 metres out at the 12 minute mark had the Swans four points up. Belconnen kicked their seventh goal before Bevan goaled again from a strong leading mark and at the 27 minute mark kicked their eighth. But O’Dwyer kicked his second goal of the game two minutes later to put the Swans in front by two points at three quarter time.

The last quarter was all Belconnen, after the Swans lost Laidlaw and Barry, with the Magpies kicking two goals in the first seven minutes before Bevan kicked his third at the nine minute mark on the run from 20 metres. Belconnen added another two before the final siren to end the game 16 points up.

The Swans will now meet Eastlake, who are currently second on the AFL Canberra ladder, on Sunday 9 August at 2pm at Manuka Oval.

Final scores:
Swans Reserves – 1.7 (13) 4.11 (35) 9.14 (68) 10.15 (75)
Belconnen – 4.3 (27) 6.12 (48) 8.18 (66) 12.19 (91)

Goals:
Bevan 3; Laidlaw, O’Dwyer 2; Veszpremi, Gordon, Metcalfe 1

Best:
O’Dwyer, Gordon, Veszpremi, Thornton, Brabazon 

Team list:
Leo Barry
Paul Bevan
Ryan Bottin-Noonan
Ryan Brabazon
Aaron Chrisfield
Jerome Farrell
Taylor Gilchrist
Nathan Gordon
Matthew Laidlaw
James Metcalfe
Brenton Mumme
Brendan Murphy
Matt O'Dwyer
Daniel O'Keefe
Jake Orreal
Jake Roach
Nick Ryan
Tim Schmidt
Angus Scott
Justin Steer
Kristin Thornton
Patrick Veszpremi