The Sydney Swans VFL side have suffered their first loss of the season, going down to the Gold Coast Suns by 14 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
After a dominant start by Sydney, the Suns found forced their way back in the second quarter booting four unanswered goals to take a 1-point lead into the main break.
Sydney struggled to get themselves back into the game dropping to a 25-point deficit before three quick goals from Sam Thorne put them back in the contest in the final quarter.
Despite Thorne’s efforts, the Swans would be left to rue unforced errors and the Suns finishing victors, 14.11.95 to the Swans 12.9.81.
Midfielder Dylan Stephens had a solid day out with 32 disposals while Sam Gray (31 disposals) and Ryan Clarke (30 disposals) while down back Will Gould had 17 disposals and also kicked a goal.
Post game Gould said that the Swans effort simply wasn’t there.
“We started well but then just went away from what was working in the second and couldn’t quite catch up," Gould said.
"It was a disappointing result but we’ll come back next week better.
"Just a bit of method around the contest I think cost us, and our work rate stuff. It’s not so much to do with skills, just effort based so we’ll look at that through the week, review it and make sure we fix it up for next week”
Tall forward Joel Amartey was a standout for the Swans, finishing with three goals and 11 disposals.
“Joel was huge up forward and he was providing a contest all day long," Gould added.
"The effort he showed was amazing, he kept us close in the end."
“I got a couple of consolation ones over the goal square so I’ll take it, but the defenders were good and we needed a couple more to get over the line” Amartey said.
The Swans next game is at home at Lakeside Oval (Tramway Oval) against Geelong on Saturday May 2nd. The game will be a precursor to the AFL match at the SCG and will also be broadcast live on Kayo Freebies.
Gold Coast Suns 14.11.95
Sydney Swans 12.9.81
Goals:
Suns: Bella 3 Brodie 2 MacPherson 2 Rosas 2 Hofert Hombsch Jeffrey Sharp Smith
Swans: Amartey 3 Thorne 3 Bell 2 Gould McDonald Morrison Taylor
Major Ball winners:
Dylan Stephens (32 disposals), Sam Gray (31 disposals), Ryan Clarke (30 disposals), Colin O'Riordan (29 disposals).
FOURTH QUARTER
FT' The full time siren sounds and despite a valiant fourth quarter fight back, the Swans VFL side go down to the Suns by 14-points in Round 2.
31' A behind to the Suns before a goal to Suns forward Will Bella extends their lead to 14.
25' Lewis Taylor kicks a crucial goal after a high tackle. From just inside the 50m, slightly to the left, he sails one straight through the posts.
20' Momentum killer with Suns defender Jack Hombsch awarded a 50m penalty. Brings him in front of the goals and he extends the lead home side's lead to 13.
18' Bartholomeaus threads the needle to find Thorne 40m in front. He strikes it well and he has his third goal for three in a row! What a big four minutes for Thorne. The Swans are within 7-points.
16' Sheather sends one into the goal square and its batted down in the contest by Lachlan McAndew who finds Thorne cleaning up the loose ball and scoring his second in two minutes!
14' O'Riordan with a nice entry to Sam Thorne who takes a mark inside 50. The midfielder strikes it well to drag it back to 19 points.
12' Suns Will Brodie receives a handball and he launches one from the 50m line. Strikes it well and it bounces through the goals for the Suns 12th of the day.
1' Play is underway, Clarke finds Amartey who has a shot at goal. But there is a whistle on play for the man off the mark, and he kicks it through from right in front for his third.
THIRD QUARTER
31' Siren sounds to end the third quarter, with the Swans trailing by 17. Swans 7.9.51 trial Suns 10.8.68.
17' Two goals to the Suns in quick succession. Thomas Hofert flying above the pack for a great grab in front, before a left foot strike by Malcolm Rosas, who was charging at speed to kick one around his body.
11' Huge kick by Will Gould who kicks one from outside 50m! Thumping kick and a great strike. Swans trail by 5.
9' Suns kick another through Zac Smith who has a free kick close to goal following a penalty in the contest.
3' Suns forward MacPherson finds Jeremy Sharp off a throw in and he dummies before his shot at goal. Through the posts for the first this quarter.
0' Back underway for the second half
SECOND QUARTER
Half time siren sounds and the Swans head to the sheds trailing by one after a high scoring quarter. Sydney 6.6.42 trail Suns 6.7.43.
29' Joel Jeffrey strikes back quickly for the Suns to regain the lead.
27' Bell finds Amartey who takes a great contested mark. Kicks it from in front to regain a lead.
26' Gold Coast kick their fourth in a row through Rosas. They lead by one.
24' Great bit of play by the Swans as MacPherson finds Bella who kicks his second in quick succession. Swans 5.6.36 lead Suns 4.7.31.
21' Suns Oea drills it long and finds Will Bella. He soccers it in for the Suns' third of the afternoon.
13' Swans applying pressure but Suns forward MacPherson is on the end of a handball close to goal and he has his second.
10' Whistle blown as the Swans drive it towards the goals. A free kick to Amartey and he scores his first.
9' Bell has his second after a nice pass inside 50 from Ryan Clarke. The forward kicks it straight from in front and extends the lead.
3' Great pressure by James Bell close to the goal and he manages to dribble one through the sticks for Sydney's third.
FIRST QUARTER
Siren sounds and the Swans take a 5-point lead after the opening term. Swans 2.3.15 lead Sun 1.4.10. McDonald and Morrison the goal scorers. Behinds to Nick Brewer, Joel Amartey and Dylan Stephens.
26' Gold Coast kick their first through Darcy MacPherson. Swans lead by 5.
17' Amartey finds Harry Morrison with a short kick near the goal square. Morrison extends the lead with his first goal of the afternoon.
13' Logan McDonald kicks the first of the afternoon after some nice build up work from Lewis Taylor and Adam Gulden. Swans 1.1.7 lead 0.4.4
0' We are underway! Warm conditions on the Gold Coast for our round two fixture.
PRE-GAME
The Swans are coming off a 26-point victory over the GWS Giants.
The Swans team includes 13 AFL-listed players with Dylan Stephens and Logan McDonald coming into the side as Callum Sinclair, Kaiden Brand and Hayden McLean get call ups to the senior side.
Ryan Hebron will make his Sydney Swans VFL debut.
