The Swans Reserves have thumped a hapless Canberra, formerly Weston Creek, outfit by 236 points at the SCG on Saturday afternoon in slippery conditions.
Heath Grundy had kicked three goals by the first break and was joined on the score sheet by Luke Brennan, Kristin Thornton, Ed Barlow, Simon Phillips, Matthew Laidlaw and Daniel O’Keefe as the Swans led had 56-point quarter time led after kicking nine goals and keeping the Wildcats goalless.
The second term was much the same with the Swans kicking another nine goals but the Wildcats also goaled just before half time.
The Swans spread the scoring around with two goals to Barlow and another eight individual goal scorers. Sam Rowe, Luke Vogels, Thornton, O’Keefe, Phillips and Laidlaw all contributed to the goal spree while Grundy kicked his fourth.
If the 110-point difference at half time seemed unbelievable, the Swans only added to the damage during the third quarter kicking 16 goals in 30 minutes of football. Grundy took his personal tally to seven, Laidlaw took his to six and Brabazon added to his best on ground performance with his only goal.
The last quarter was markedly different from the three prior, with only six goals being scored, and one of those going to the Wildcats.
Thornton, Adam Prior, Irwin and Vogels all scored majors and Grundy kicked his eighth goal in his return to the Reserves after three games in the seniors.
The Swans called on Grundy after Nick Davis was injured in round one despite playing no practice matches in the pre-season, so it was beneficial for his match fitness to run out a full game as opposed to playing off the bench.
The Swans were led to victory by a group of their second-year players, drafted from all over the country.
Brabazon, who played a majority of the game in the midfield and on the wing was drafted from Claremont in Western Australia while Thornton, also a Western Australian, made his presence felt at half-forward and halfback.
Laidlaw and Phillips also contributed to the big score.
Laidlaw, originally from the Oakleigh Chargers in Melbourne, dominated the midfield and forward line booting six goals, while Phillips, a former Sandringham Dragons player, performed well on ball and also made an appearance in the forward line.
Kieren Jack, the only native New South Welshman to be drafted in 2005, was also named as one of the best players, and if he continues to shine may follow in the footsteps of fellow Rams representative players Nick Davis, Craig Bolton, Adam Schneider, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Paul Bevan.
The Swans’ next game is against Belconnen at Manuka Oval on Saturday 5 May at 2pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Swans Reserves: 9.3, 18.9, 34.11, 39.16 (250)
Canberra Wildcats: 0.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 (14)
Goal-kickers:
Grundy 8, Laidlaw 6, Barlow 5, Vogels 3, Thornton 3, Phillips 3, D.O'Keefe, Pryor, Irwin, Rowe, Doyle, Davis, Brennan, Brabazon
Best:
Brabazon, Jack, Laidlaw, Vogels, Thornton, Phillips
TEAM:
BRENNAN, O'KEEFE, DOYLE, LAIDLAW, FAULKS, THORNTON, SIMPKIN, BRABAZON, VOGELS, GRUNDY, BARLOW, O'DWYER, BEVAN, DAVIS, SHAW, ROWE, PHILLIPS, JACK, FENAROLI, URWIN, PRIOR
