The Sydney Swans reserves have gone down to reigning NEAFL premiers, NT Thunder by 22 points under lights at Darwin’s TIO Stadium tonight.

Despite some early wayward goalkicking, the Swans built a strong lead in the opening three quarters and went to the last change up by 17 points. When Trent Dennis-Lane goaled in the early stages of the final term, the Swans were four goals in front of their hosts and seemingly on the way to recording a crucial away win.

From that point on however, NT Thunder took control and rammed home the final seven goals of the game, as the Swans players ran out of legs in the oppressive conditions and could register just two more points for the game.

For the second round in a row, Mitch Morton led all scorers on the field with four goals, but it was Campbell Heath in defence who really shone for the Swans. Heath took several telling marks throughout the course of the game and marshaled a defence which successfully restricted last year’s Northern Conference leading goalkicker, Darren Ewing. Ewing kicked 99 goals last home and away season, and five against Ainslie in the NEAFL Grand Final, but the Swans were able to restrict him to just two goals tonight. However, the Thunder were able to find other avenues to goal and finished the game with ten individual goalkickers.

Jarred Moore, Harry Cunningham and top-up player Jordan Weir were also impressive for the Swans in the top end, but the Territory had too many contributors when the game was up for grabs as they recorded their second consecutive win and inflicted the Swans with their third lose in four games.

The Sydney Swans reserves will be in action again next Saturday afternoon when they take on new NEAFL side Sydney University at Blacktown International Sportspark from 12pm.

NT Thunder      1.2    4.6    9.10    16.16 112
Sydney Swans   1.7    6.13  11.15    12.18 90

Goal Kickers: M. Morton 4, T. Dennis-Lane 2, J. Moore, A. Moody, S. Biggs, N. Gordon, T. Walsh, J. Lamb
Best Players: C. Heath, J. Moore, A. Wynn, H. Cunningham, J. Lynch