THE SYDNEY Swans have continued their impressive start to the 2010 season with a hard-fought 40-point victory over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It took the better part of three quarters before the more experienced and stronger Swans were able to get on top, but once they did they pushed clear to win 14.16 (100) to 8.12 (60).
The Swans set up the result by kicking the final four goals of the third term.
A pivotal moment came midway through the quarter when Jesse White - who had been barely sighted for most of the afternoon - took a spectacular mark over North defender Lachie Hansen.
White not only converted to extend the margin to 11 points - to that point the biggest of the match - but in a double blow for the home side, Hansen left the field after copping a knee to the back of his head.
He returned to the field, however his team did not recover from the impetus created by White's effort.
Another goal soon after to Brett Kirk saw the visitors take an 18-point lead into the last change, and there was no looking back from there as they kicked 3.5 to a solitary behind in the fourth term.
Second-year midfielder Dan Hannebery (28 disposals, one goal) and Jude Bolton also impressed, while draftee Lewis Jetta caught the eye with several dashing runs.
For North, captain Brent Harvey (25 disposals), Daniel Wells (19 disposals and two goals) and defender Nathan Grima tried hard but had little support from their teammates.
While it looked early on as though forwards from both sides would struggle, Swans coach Paul Roos believed Daniel Bradshaw - who enjoyed his best match in Swans colours - might have been the difference.
The former Lion took 11 marks and kicked four goals.
"Last week there were really good signs and I thought over the next couple of weeks we were going to see some of his (Bradshaw's) best footy. I thought he was outstanding today," Roos said.
"He caught everything that went his way and I think he had eight shots at goal and 18 possessions and however many contested marks, so he was certainly a real factor for us."
Adam Goodes, who had just five possessions in the first half, was also instrumental in helping his side take control after North's midfield claimed early honours.
There had been little between the sides in the first half, with North leading by one point at the main break.
Roos said the Swans were fortunate to have been so close, and North Melbourne coach Brad Scott agreed his side should have been further in front.
"We created enough opportunity to score and we didn't take those chances, so it's frustrating to go in pretty much level-pegging at half time," Scott said.
"We lacked a little bit of polish in that first half. Everything that we tried to execute was working reasonably well but you need to take your chances against hardened, experienced sides."
The lead had changed hands 13 times in the first half but North, despite the best efforts of Harvey, Leigh Adams and impressive youngster Ryan Bastinac, couldn't pinch a break.
As has been their trademark under Roos, the Swans kept within striking distance even though they had few winners around the ground.
North Melbourne 3.4 6.7 8.11 8.12 (60)
Sydney Swans 3.2 6.6 11.11 14.16 (100)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Edwards 2, Wells 2, Hale, Thomas, Harvey, Adams
Sydney Swans: Bradshaw 4, Goodes 2, Mattner 2, Hannebery, Kirk, O’Keefe, White, McGlynn, Kennedy
BEST
North Melbourne: Harvey, Adams, Rawlings, Anthony, McIntosh, Bastinac
Sydney Swans: J. Bolton, Kennelly, Hannebery, Bradshaw, Goodes, Jetta, Mumford
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Sydney Swans: McGlynn (quad tightness)
Umpires: Nicholls, Schmitt, Jeffrey
Official crowd: 23,646 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
