The Sydney Swans suffered their second defeat of the 2021 VFL season in Round 3, as the Geelong Cats claimed a 64-60 victory at Lakeside Oval on Saturday.
Coach Jeremy Laidler reflected on the loss and the learnings taken from the clash.
"I was really proud of the boys, in terms of our effort and the things we could control," Laidler said.
"Our mindset going into the game was at a really high standard and we played against some real quality opposition in Geelong and we had to be on for the whole four quarters and we probably had a couple of lapses that hurt us in the end.
"We have noticed over the first three rounds that you can’t afford to have little lapses throughout the game because the good sides do capitalise on that.
"It’s just about trying to get that consistency through our effort and that controls a lot of things.
"I thought some of our defensive shape and offensive ball movement was pleasing so we will take positives out of the game."
Laidler saw plenty of promising signs from the likes of Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell, who recorded three goals and 25 disposals respectively.
"We just wanted to get Braeden around the ball as much as we could. It was very new to him playing around centre bounces and stoppages but he will take a lot from the game, just around body work and how proactive you need to be around those stoppages.
"I thought some of his run, ground balls and contest to contest was really pleasing.
"It was important game for him to develop his game but also get some touches under his belt and gain some more confidence.
"Logan’s workrate was a real standout on the weekend. He got to so many contests and took 8 marks on the weekend, but had plenty more opportunities to take more marks," Laidler added.
"For him, it is just trying to capitalise on those opportunities, he passed off a couple of goals, but it was really pleasing to see him getting to those contests and having a presence."
Other standouts included Joel Amartey, who produced 19 disposals and two goals, while Robbie Fox made a welcome return from injury with 29 disposals and four tackles.
Laidler said Fox was a standout in his return.
"Joel played predominantly forward, and a touch in the ruck, but he has been working on his work rate and his consistency over four quarters and he is really building on that which is pleasing."
"I was really pleased with Robbie’s game," Laidler continued.
"He missed 8 weeks with injury but the way he started the game, some of his contests, you could tell he was going to be on for the four quarters.
"The consistency he had throughout the whole game, not only did he get a lot of the ball, but his defensive efforts, were really noticeable. He was a big stand out for the game."
The Sydney Swans VFL side will face the Casey Demons in Round 4 of the competition at Casey Fields on Sunday, May 8 from 11am. The fixture will be shown live on Kayo Freebies with live updates provided on www.sydneyswans.com.au
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats - VFL Round 3 statistics
2 Kaiden Brand
15 disposals, six marks
6 Logan McDonald
14 disposals, three goals, eight marks, two tackles
15 Sam Gray
25 disposals, seven tackles
16 Braeden Campbell
26 disposals, eight tackles
17 Will Gould
20 disposals
19 Matt Ling
14 disposals, four tackles
22 Nick Blakey
22 disposals, four tackles, four hit-outs
28 Lewis Taylor
31 disposals, one goal, five tackles
32 James Bell
Eight disposals, three tackles
33 Marc Sheather
16 disposals, one goal, nine tackles
35 Barry O’Connor
12 disposals, two tackles
36 Joel Amartey
19 disposals, two goals, nine tackles, seven hit-outs
40 Malachy Carruthers
17 disposals, one tackle
42 Robbie Fox
30 disposals, seven marks, five tackles
50 Adam Gulden ©
17 disposals, four tackles
51 Paddy McCartin
One disposal
52 Ryan Hebron
12 disposals, four marks
53 Jake Barthomolomaeus
17 disposals, seven tackles
55 Harry Morrison
9 disposals
56 Darcy Cordell
12 disposals, one goal
60 Lachlan McAndrew
Five disposals, three tackles, 13 hit-outs
64 Will Collis
14 disposals, two tackles
