The Sydney Swans reserves have recorded a comfortable 111-point victory over NEAFL Eastern Conference rival Tuggernong at Sydney’s Lakeside Oval on Friday afternoon.
The Swans went into the game undefeated, sitting atop the Eastern ladder, and apart from a tight first quarter-and-a-half due to the heavy conditions, were never troubled by the Tuggeranong outfit.
In his second game back from gluteal and calf injuries, Lewis Roberts-Thomson kicked the first goal of the game - the only goal of a wet first quarter - to give the Swans a six point lead at the first change.
Once the rain started to clear, the Swans got well on top, with a five-goal burst late in the second quarter extending the margin to 39 points at the main break. A Jed Lamb holding the ball tackle and subsequent goal started the late flurry of goals, with Nathan Gordon, Kane Murphy, Daniel Robinson, and Murphy again, all scoring majors before the half-time break.
The Swans ruck division really got on top in the third quarter with Mark Seaby and then Dan Currie winning the majority of the hitouts, while each chipped in with a strong lead-out mark and goal when resting forward. Dylan McNeil was the main benefactor of the ruck work with his in and under ball gathering constantly driving the team forward, while his front-and-centre work paid off with a nice roving goal as well.
Lewis Johnston continued his fine form across the half-back line, picking up 24 touches and ten marks in a dominant performance. Johnston showed the defensive elements of his game which he has been working on by marshalling his fellow defenders and affecting numerous spoils towards the boundary.
Byron Sumner gave the team plenty of energy around the stoppages and was often the link between the contest and a free target. His foot skills and decision making were vital, rarely making a mistake in difficult conditions.
The last portion of the game belonged to Trent Dennis-Lane, who went from zero to five goals in the final 35 minutes. The small forward, who was so instrumental the last time the seniors played Carlton, capitalised from solid play by his teammates further afield. Two of Dennis-Lane’s goals came from strong marks where he presented hard with arms fully extended, before going back and coolly converting.
Matt Spangher played his first competitive game for the club, and despite admitting to being a touch rusty, showed some neat touches aroudn the ground, including nearly taking a high-flying mark.
The reserves will be in action again next Saturday when they play their first match for competition points against GWS Giants. The game will get underway at 9.10am as a curtain-raiser to the senior game against the Western Bulldogs at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
Sydney Swans 1.4 6.7 11.11 18.15 (123)
Tuggeranong 0.4 0.4 0.6 1.6 (12)
Goal Kickers: T. DENNIS-LANE 5, J. LAMB 2, K. MURPHY 2, N. GORDON 2, D. CURRIE , D. ROBINSON , L. ROBERTS-THOMSON , D. MCNEIL , B. HAREN , E. KRUGER , M. SEABY
Best Players: B. SUMNER, L. JOHNSTON, C. MCKAIGUE, N. GORDON, M. SEABY, M. THOMPSON, K. MURPHY
