Sydney Swans reserves coach Henry Playfair says he was pleased to leave Brisbane with all four points and remain undefeated, after a final quarter comeback from the Brisbane Lions made the closing stages of Saturday afternoon’s game uncomfortable for his team.

A clever Byron Sumner goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter put the Swans 47 points up, but the Lions stormed back into the game, kicking seven consecutive goals to get within a point. The game wasn’t sealed until Swans Academy player Kane Murphy snapped a goal for the Swans late in the quarter.

Playfair said a drop-off in individual efforts and a lack of discipline from his side gave the Lions a lifeline in the final quarter.

“(I was) happy to win, but a little bit disappointed with certain aspects of our game,” Playfair told sydneyswans.com.au.

“As far as the team aspect, it was more some individual efforts which let us down and some undisciplined acts as well - we gave away eight 50 metre penalties, which is the highest I’ve ever heard of by a long way - so that was really disappointing.”

Heading into the Lions match, the Swans had an average winning margin of 91 points from their six NEAFL games this season. Playfair said he was particularly pleased that his team was able to hold on for victory in what was their toughest challenge so far in 2011.

“That was the good thing about the day, that at one stage we were up by 40 points. Against quality opposition you’re not going to get it all your own way, which we’ve had largely for this year,” he said.

“They (the Lions) pushed back against us, and it was a great challenge for our players.

“It is a bit easier to give effort when you get immediate results and on the weekend was a real test of giving effort when you weren’t getting results.

“I reckon we would have learnt a lot out of that game, probably more than any other game during the year,” Playfair said.

One player who was identified as a potential match winner for the Lions was 2005 Swans premiership player Amon Buchanan. Playfair decided to curb his influence by pitting Byron Sumner against him in a head-to-head battle.

“He certainly limited Amon’s influence on the day and again learnt a few things after quarter time,” Playfair said of the job Sumner did.

“He let him off the chain a little bit in the first quarter and gave him a bit too much space, but after that, some of his pressure work and defensive skills were pretty good, and he used the ball pretty well as well.”

Playfair said Jarred Moore and Paul Bevan were again amongst the Swans best, while ruckman Daniel Currie put in his best shift for the year against Brisbane’s ruck duo of Broc McCauley and Niall McKeever.

“He rucked against two pretty handy ruckmen, largely on his own, and just competed all day which was what we were after,” Playfair said.

“Some of his follow-up and ground-ball efforts were really pleasing which has been a work in progress for him.”

The Swans reserves return to the SCG this Sunday morning against Eastern Conference rivals Queanbeyan, who currently sit fourth on the Eastern ladder.

“They’ve got some good players, they’ve been up and down a bit throughout the year, but they’ll certainly throw up another challenge for us,” Playfair said.

“We haven’t played here much this year so it will be great to get back here and play on the SCG.”