The Sydney Swans reserves have suffered their first defeat in the NEAFL at the hands of the Gold Coast Suns Reserves at Metricon Stadium this afternoon.
The reserves went into the game having won their first 11 games of the season by an average margin of 87 points, but could never get in front as the home team powered to the line to record a 79-point victory, finishing 9.8 (62) to the Suns 21.15 (141).
Apart from a ten minute spell towards the end of the first quarter when the Swans were able to kick three consecutive goals, Gold Coast controlled the majority of the play throughout the game.
From the outset, the Suns backed themselves in to win the ball at the contest and spread at every opportunity. When they were able to get their hands on the ball, they used their pace and made the most of their forward 50 entries.
As a result the Swans either conceded a shot on goal, or got pinned in their defensive half as the Suns employed a suffocating man-on-man defence along the western wing.
The Swans did look dangerous on the few occasions they were able to break the Suns stranglehold and get the ball inside 50 quickly. Nathan Gordon, Jesse White and Andrejs Everitt all converted goals in a five-minute period at the end of the first quarter which tied the scores at 28 points apiece.
From there though, the Suns never relinquished the lead and ran out comfortable winners.
The Swans’ cause wasn’t helped by the late withdrawal of Luke Parker and Jarred Moore on senior emergency duty, or Gordon having to leave the field for the remainder of the match after being reported twice in the opening 20 minutes of the game. With only one Swan rotating off the bench, goals from 50 metre penalties either side of the quarter time break further sapped their resolve.
The desire of the Suns to make a statement against the previously undefeated Swans on their home deck was summed up in a three minute period in the third quarter.
From a boundary throw-in in the Suns attacking 50, a quick snap to the top of their goal square saw the experienced Michael Coad drift in between Campbell Heath and Lewis Johnston - who played on after rolling his ankle in the second quarter - take an easy mark, and goal.
The next centre bounce saw the Swans clear the ball and go inside 50, where it looked like Everitt would take a certain mark on the lead, but the Suns’ Maverick Weller went back courageously with the flight of the ball and took a spectacular diving mark.
The energy went out of the contest from that point, and the Suns pounced to kick 13 of the last 17 goals for the game.
Byron Sumner was a standout for the Swans, particularly in the first half when the game was at its quickest. Everitt was the Swans leading goalkicker with three, while White finished with two goals each.
The Swans reserves will look to get back on the winner’s list next week as they host Eastlake in the lead-in to the seniors game against Fremantle.
Sydney Swans 4.4 4.5 7.6 9.8 (62)
Gold Coast Suns 5.4 8.8 14.12 21.15 (141)
