THE Sydney Swans Reserves have opened their 2011 campaign with a 116-point victory in this morning’s practice match against the East Coast Eagles, with Jesse White and Trent Dennis-Lane the standouts up forward.

In conditions that fluctuated between bright sunshine and driving rain, an eight goal to nil final quarter from the Swans saw the score blow out and hand Henry Playfair a win in his first outing as coach - 20.15 (135) to 3.1 (19).

White dominated the first quarter and had three goals by quarter time - all from marks inside the forward 50 - and although his impact waned as the wet conditions set in, he bobbed up again in the final quarter to kick two - including one after a flying pack mark 35 metres out from goal - to finish the morning with five majors.

Dennis-Lane was the more consistent forward, with a goal in each quarter, some evasive footwork through the middle of the ground, and a brilliant run and tackle in the first quarter that resulted in one of White’s goals.

Although the weather was not in favour of the the talls, Mike Pyke rucked the majority of the game for the Swans and was clearly the most dominant big man on the ground.

Pyke continually gave first use of the ball to the Swans running brigade, and would often be seen intercepting play in defence - he was even unlucky on one occasion not to have had a shot on goal after a long chase and eventual tackle in the Swans’ attacking goal square was deemed too high on his opponent.

The beneficiaries of Pyke’s strong ruck performance were the inside midfielders in Luke Parker, Dylan McNeil and Nathan Gordon who seemed to relish the conditions and the mass of bodies around the stoppages, often finding space where there wasn’t any and dishing the ball out to the Swans’ runners.

Eugene Kruger and Brett Meredith were repeatedly used as the link between defence and attack, with the Eagles having no answers for their run-and-carry and use of the ball. Both kicked two goals for the game, with Kruger’s goal tight in on the left-hand pocket in the second quarter, and Meredith’s tight in on the right-hand pocket in the final quarter the highlights of the game.

A game can’t be won by 116 points without keeping the opposition’s forwards quiet, and the Swans’ defensive unit excelled for all but a five-minute period in the third quarter where East Coast kicked back-to-back goals.

Lewis Johnston was impressive across centre-half back and set the tone early with some strong pack marks and desperate defensive efforts at ground level. His hard work was rewarded in the final quarter, when he ventured forward and got on the end of a flowing piece of play to convert a long goal from 50 metres out.

Last year’s No. 21 draft pick Jed Lamb became more involved in the game the further it progressed, kicking the opening goals of both the third and fourth quarters, and turning provider to both Meredith and Dennis-Lane for the final goals of the game.

The Swans Reserves will take on Belconnen in another practice match next Saturday afternoon at 2pm, while the seniors have their season opener against Melbourne the following day at the MCG. 

Sydney Swans 20.15 (135) def East Coast Eagles 3.1 (19)

Goals - White 5, Dennis-Lane 4, Kruger 2, Meredith 2, Lamb 2, Currie, Reid, Haren, Johnston, Murphy