A host of QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-ups and a sprinkling of AFL-listed talent have teamed up brilliantly, combining forces to grab a 52-point win over the Gold Coast Suns on Friday afternoon.

While AFL-listed cogs Darcy Cameron and Colin O’Riordan led the way in Sydney’s last match of the regular season, a record 16 Academy members played crucial roles to help the Swans to a 12.10 (82) to 4.6 (30) victory at Blacktown International Sports Park.

The Round 21 victory has kept the Swans in the hunt for the minor premiership, pushing them a win clear on top of the ladder ahead of the Southport Sharks, Aspley Hornets and Sydney University.

The Sharks, Hornets and Students will all play on Saturday, before finals football kicks off the following week.

Swans development coach Tadhg Kennelly said the Academy and AFL-listed players had gelled well all season.

“They’ve been really good with how they’ve come together and played together all year,” Kennelly said.

“They’re playing some really good football at the right time of the year, which makes a difference going into finals. A lot of those top-up boys actually feel quite comfortable with the way we’re playing.”

Cameron collected 22 possessions, 36 hit-outs and a goal in a battle with formidable Gold Coast big man Tom Nicholls, who’s played 45 AFL matches.

Cameron, who made his AFL debut earlier this season, combined well with his followers around the ground and provided a strong target when rotating through the forward line. 

O’Riordan was again outstanding at half-back, raking in a game-high 32 touches and 12 marks, reading the play exceptionally well and moving the ball without error by hand and foot.

Kennelly gave a glowing review of O’Riordan’s performance but saved his highest praise for Cameron.

“Darcy’s year has been exceptional as a ruckman,” Kennelly said.

“With a competition with a lot of star ruckmen – with Matt Flynn and Rory Lobb and Dawson Simpson from the Giants, he’s played against Gold Coast’s Peter Wright and Tom Nicholls today. At Brisbane they have Archie Smith, a big man and good ruckman, and Oscar McInerney’s played as a ruckman. They’re all bona fide AFL ruckmen playing in the NEAFL.

“Darcy’s been our most consistent player all year. He’s been really strong and has had a really big presence and is a big reason why we’re going to finish first or second on the ladder.”

Speedster Gary Rohan made a strong case for an AFL recall in a return of 18 touches and a goal.

The 27-year-old has played little football over the past month due to a broken hand but showed promising signs against the Giants last week and again in the Suns clash. 

Kennelly was rapt with what Rohan showed.

“He was super,” Kennelly said.

“His effort was enormous today. He was really up and about. He looked very dangerous in the midfield, went forward and looked dangerous. 

“He looked sharp today, which we hadn’t seen for a long time. He’s had a very injury-interrupted season.

“But he can get an enormous amount from today’s game, not only from a football perspective but a physical perspective as well. He was able to get some good run into his legs.”

James Rose recorded 21 disposals and presented strong options forward of the ball, while young guns James Bell (15 touches, one goal) and Angus Styles (20) also fired.

Academy graduate Jake Brown produced a strong game of his own in a return of 14 touches and a goal, but the rising on-baller finished his day just after the final change due to a shoulder complaint.

Draft-bound forward Sam Wicks carried the torch for the Academy top-ups, registering 19 possessions, seven tackles and three goals, while Academy stars Cooper Kilpatrick and Harry Maguire kicked doubles. 

The game was home and hosed before Brown called stumps, with the Swans drilling home seven first-quarter goals to the Suns’ one to blaze the trail for victory early on. 

Both sides struggled to gain ascendancy throughout the middle quarters, with Sydney scoring two goals and Gold Coast one.

The ball spent plenty of time in the Suns’ forward 50 throughout the second stanza but the Swans’ defence, led by O’Riordan, consistently repelled.

The Swans then added three last-term goals to the Suns’ two to maintain an undefeated 2018 record in Blacktown.

While the Swans remain in contention to claim the minor premiership, Kennelly said adding that silverware to the cabinet didn’t enter into discussions.

“We worry about playing contested footy, process and structure,” Kennelly said.

“Whether we win the minor premiership hasn’t been a focus of ours at all. It’s more about going about the game the right way, which is why we’ve ended up finishing first or second. If you try and look at things you can’t control, like minor premierships, you’re going to drop the ball.

“The style of football we play stacks up and we know it stacks up at senior and NEAFL level.”

Sydney Swans 7.1 7.2 9.7 12.10 (82)

Gold Coast Suns 1.1 2.4 2.6 4.6 (30)

Goals – Sydney Swans: S Wicks 3, C Kilpatrick 2, H Maguire 2, J Bell, D Cameron, J Brown, K Dunkley, G Rohan