THE SYDNEY Swans will head into next week's finals with confidence after a thumping 61-point victory over Brisbane Lions at the SCG on Saturday night.
The 17.12 (114) to 6.17 (53) victory also ensured a home elimination final for the Swans, who rebounded emphatically from a 45-point loss to Collingwood and two wins from their last eight games.
The Swans will host North Melbourne if St Kilda beats Essendon on Sunday, or the Saints if they happen to stumble.
But midfielder Jude Bolton's place in the final isn't guaranteed, after being reported for rough conduct on Lion Albert Proud in the fourth term.
Encouragingly, the night belonged to a number of the side's youngsters with Jarred Moore roving the ball well for a return of four goals and 22 possessions and late inclusion Patrick Veszpremi, who replaced Ryan O'Keefe (flu), also adding four majors and 14 disposals.
The pair made up for a frustrated Barry Hall, who was well held by Lions defender Daniel Merrett for most of the game and finished with one goal.
Swans defenders Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ted Richards and Leo Barry had similar influence at the other end, keeping Jonathan Brown goalless and holding Daniel Bradshaw to two.
Leading at every change, the Swans comfortably made do without premiership players Adam Goodes (groin) and O'Keefe, and started with vigour – throwing themselves at every contest and moving the ball quickly.
Moore enjoyed plenty of early possessions, while Nick Malceski (27 touches), Amon Buchanan (27), Jarrad McVeigh (28) and Bolton (27) had initial impressions on the match and sustained them.
The Lions were best served by Bradd Dalziell (25 disposals), Simon Black (26) and Luke Power (20).
The Swans' effective movement was evident when Hall marked on the wing and released to a motoring Malceski, who sent a long kick to an open goal square.
Veszpremi got in on the act with a brilliant snap from a tight angle for the Swans to lead by nine points at the first change, with the only dampener of the opening term the number of free kicks conceded – 10 to three.
Roberts-Thomson continued his job on Brown in the second term, and back-to-back goals to Kieren Jack and McVeigh generated a four-goal lead.
Defender Tadhg Kennelly's loose shoulder required some attention but he battled on, just as Hall did despite being double and triple-teamed when the ball went near him.
However, the magical Moore's second goal settled the home side and helped the margin out to 23 points at the main break.
Bradshaw kicked the first of the third quarter to keep Leigh Matthews' side within striking distance but, as they did all night, the Swans hit back with three consecutive goals.
Jamie Charman awarded Swans ruckman Peter Everitt the second of his 50m penalties, putting him directly in front of goal, and when the big Lion was dragged his side looked the beaten team.
Thirty-eight points up with a quarter to play, the Swans weren't deterred by their lead and cantered home.
Five goals included Hall's contested mark and resultant major from left of the square, while goals to McVeigh, Moore and Veszpremi heightened great nights for those players.
Sydney Swans 3.3 7.8 12.9 17.12 (114)
Brisbane Lions 1.6 3.9 5.13 6.17 (53)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Moore 4, Veszpremi 4, Jack 2, McVeigh 2, Everitt, Malceski, Bird, Richards, Hall
Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 2, Selwood, Clouston, Henderson, Charman
BEST
Sydney Swans: Moore, Roberts-Thomson, Malceski, McVeigh, Barry, Veszpremi, Richards
Brisbane Lions: Dalziell, Black, Brennan, Merrett, Power
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: O’Keefe (flu) replaced in selected side by Veszpremi
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: J. Bolton (Sydney Swans) by field umpire Mathew James for rough conduct on Proud (Brisbane Lions) in the fourth quarter
Umpires: McBurney, James, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 24,076 at the SCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
