The Sydney Swans reserves have reclaimed top spot on the NEAFL Eastern Conference ladder with a 21-point win over the Gold Coast Suns reserves at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Swans reserves overcame a 15-point half time deficit to storm home and claim their second win over the Suns for the season.
Swans reserves coach Jared Crouch said he was pleased with his team’s effort to fight out the match in wet conditions on the Gold Coast.
“It was a really good win,” Crouch told sydneyswans.com.au
“The Gold Coast sort of jumped us a bit early but the boys fought their way back into the game and sort of grinded their way through the middle part and then finished the strongest.”
Swans premiership defender Rhyce Shaw took the field for the first time since round two for the reserves, mostly against talented Suns’ goal sneak Liam Patrick.
Crouch said Shaw produced a strong performance in his first match back in over three months.
“Rhyce played 80 minutes, so a bit more than a half and he was definitely blowing,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how hard you train, there is nothing like getting out there and playing a game.
“Probably also for Rhyce it was about getting his touch up at game level and he certainly got better as the game went on.
“He is a senior player and he’s not going to need too much before he’s ready for senior selection.”
Crouch said Shaw, who played just over a half of football, was also a valuable asset on field for the Swans reserves’ young defensive group.
“Rhyce has been very vocal on the boundary line but then to get out there with the boys and his voice out on the field shows the younger guys the talk required,” he said.
“He was also very good at setting the players and putting them in the right positions and they then get that confidence and it flows from that.
“I’m not looking at getting him for that long, but having him there as an on field coach is awesome for those younger players.”
Comeback kid Gary Rohan also played his second game after more than a year out with injury, and finished the game as the Swans reserves’ equal leading goal scorer with three goals.
The coach said Rohan, who played 75 minutes for the Swans reserves on Saturday afternoon, took another step forward in his road back to senior football.
“I think he got about 75 minutes, so that was up on last week where he only played about 40 minutes,” he said.
“I think he was pleasing and I think in his second game back after a long time out he was a bit tired and was really blowing, but it’s another step forward.
“From my perspective it’s another step towards playing a full reserves game and then when he’s done that we can look at unleashing him in the seniors.”
For the second consecutive week, Swans rookie Dan Robinson was named as the team’s best, while Shane Biggs, Tony Armstrong and Alex Brown were also among the Swans reserves’ leading performers for the match.
Crouch said Robinson demonstrated leadership through the midfield for the Swans reserves in the absence of Harry Cunningham, Jake Lloyd and Harry Marsh.
“Dan was fantastic again and he probably shouldered a bit more of the midfield responsibilities with Jake Lloyd and Harry Marsh having the week off this week and Harry Cunningham playing senior football,” he said.
“Dan worked with Shane Biggs who normally plays across half back but had to step into a midfield role and did a good job.
“They worked with Lloyd Perris and some of the other guys through the midfield, but Dan was very good in his stoppage and clearance work.”
The coach also highlighted the work of Newcastle City top-up player Jacob Dawes, who filled the ruck role for the Swans reserves this week.
“Jacob Dawes, who is a ruckman, just makes a massive difference to the side,” he said.
“We’re delighted with how well Jesse (White) is playing up at senior level and he’s sort of been our ruckman, and we haven’t had anyone for quite some time, so it was terrific to have Jacob fill that role.”
Sydney Swans reserves 2.3 4.8 8.11 12.13 (85)
Gold Coast Suns reserves 2.2 7.5 8.6 9.10 (64)
Goal Kickers: G. Rohan 3, T. Membrey 3, B. Plug 2, D. Cox, T. Head, T. Armstrong, M. Morton
Best Players: D. Robinson, S. Biggs, T. Armstrong, A. Brown, L. Perris, D. Hadden
