Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has praised his side after their 31 point victory over the Brisbane Lions in their season opener at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Brisbane kicked the first three goals of the game and the last three, but everything in between was a sea of red and white.
When the Lions made a mistake, Sydney ran in waves and pounced.
The Swans won the inside 50 count by just 59-57 but marked the ball 23 times to five in that region, many of them uncontested.
Sydney coach John Longmire was understandably delighted with his young team, particularly debutants Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell, who all had big impacts.
"We played them thinking they could help us win and it's great we've added some more youth to our team … and most importantly they've come in to do a job and compete and all of them did that," he said.
"They were fantastic, they were really good."
“Gulden showed it through the whole pre-season, he has been doing what he has been doing for a few weeks now. We picked them to give them the opportunity and they have to be able to grab it with both hands and all of them did that tonight which was good to see.”
Longmire was also positive about the role of experienced ruckman Tom Hickey, who made his club debut.
“I didn’t have to say too much to him, he has a lot of experience with a few footy clubs and that’s the thing he has brought to our club.”
“He has brought a lot of experience and is really willing to show and give that experience and he has fit in beautifully.
“I thought he was important tonight, they had two big ruckmen going at us, and he did a pretty good job.”
Longmire said despite going into half-time level after giving up a big lead, he was more than comfortable with the Swans' position.
“We were a bit slow to start but the good thing was that we held that momentum, slowly got back into it, started to use the ball, get control and win some contests and be a bit cleaner with the footy and we were able to change it (momentum) that way.”
"We came to be in the game at half-time and you look at the scoreboard and it's even.
I was thrilled.
"(I said) 'We're right in this boys, (in it) up to our eyeballs'.
"There was a really good feeling in there."
Longmire also praised Callum Mills, who played in the midfield and finished with two goals and 29 disposals.
“He helps out Kennedy, Parker and Rampe and he is very important in that aspect.”
“He has been in our leadership group for a couple of years now but he has always had that about him, he understands the game, is incredibly hard and competes and loves to win.”
Sydney will return to the SCG on Saturday March 27 for their round two clash against the Adelaide Crows.
