The Sydney Swans reserves season is over after suffering defeat to Ainslie in this afternoon’s Eastern Conference final at Manuka Oval, final scores finishing Ainslie 19.11 125 to Swans reserves 10.13 73.
After Ainslie got the first goal of the game, the Swans strung together three successive goals to hold a 10-point lead halfway through the first quarter. From there though, it was all Ainslie as they kicked 18 of the last 25 goals for the match to run out victors by 52 points.
The Swans reserves struggled to hit targets going forward and were made to pay on the scoreboard, with Ainslie making the most of their options going forward and continually finding players in their forward 50.
The Swans task was made difficult from the outset when skipper Jarred Moore was unable to play on after the five minute mark of the first quarter with an ankle injury. Campbell Heath was carried off the ground by trainers and taken straight to the rooms in the third quarter with a left leg injury.
A Nathan Gordon screamer deep in defence in the third quarter and an Andrejs Everitt torpedo kick out that travelled past the centre circle were two highlights on a day where there were precious few for a Swans side who were previously undefeated against Canberra opposition in 2011.
After losing all three meetings between the two sides this year, Ainslie were the more switched on and hungry team for the majority of the match, and once they got a sniff of victory, they ran in numbers and peppered the goals without the Swans having an answer.
Trent Dennis-Lane, Mark Seaby and Nathan Gordon were all multiple goalkickers for the Swans with two each, while a Mike Pyke soccer goal and a Lewis Jetta set shot goal from tight in on the boundary line from 50 metres out were the two classiest finishes of the game for the Swans.
Speaking after the game, Swans reserves captain Jarred Moore paid tribute to Ainslie and said today’s performance wasn’t a true reflection of the way the Swans had played this year.
“Well done to Ainslie, they pretty much smacked us in all areas of the game,” he said.
“We’ve had a pretty good year, but it was just disappointing today.”
Ainslie coach Chris Rourke, captain John Holmes, and Alex Jesaulenko medalist for best on ground, Marcus Crook all paid tribute to the Swans and the year that they have had.
“The Swans are the benchmark of this competition, and to beat them is a fantastic achievement,” Holmes said.
Sydney Swans 4.2 5.7 6.8 10.13 73
Ainslie 6.3 9.5 12.9 19.11 125
Goal Kickers: T. Dennis-Lane 2, N. Gordon 2, M. Seaby 2, K. Murphy , L. Jetta , M. Pyke, A. Everitt
Best Players: J. Potter, K. Murphy, M. Seaby, D. McNeil, J. Brain, N. Gordon
