Sydney Swans VFL coach Jeremy Laidler has praised his side's resilience after a ruthless second-half performance saw them record a 12.14.(86) to 8.5.(53) victory over Collingwood Magpies in Round 5 of the VFL.

Ryan Clarke starred with a stunning individual performance that saw him produce 41 disposals and three goals, while Joel Amartey continued his blistering form of 2021 with three majors and 18 possessions. 

Laidler admitted it was one of the side's most consistent performances of the 2021 campaign, and hopes they can take confidence from their efforts in the final term that saw them run-out 33-point victors. 

"It was a really pleasing win against Collingwood and it was good for the team to be able to play out on the SCG in front of some of the members and fans that stayed," Laider said.

"Collingwood are a really quality side, and to be able to match it with them and come away with the win was really pleasing."

"We started quite slowly and played on their terms for the first quarter, but once we started controlling the game on both sides, it was our most consistent game for the year."

“Their pressure was at a really high level and we invited it early in the game, we adapted really well and were able to control the game a lot better. Both teams applied a great amount of pressure so it was a really good scrap which we worked through.”

Laider highlighted the effort from Clarke which has seen him put in strong consistent performances over the past month.

"Clarkey's game was outstanding. He bases his game on his work rate and how hard he runs both ways and he was a real highlight. A big key to his consistency this month has been his attitude, the way he goes into each week, into meetings, into games and he is really infectious and brings a lot of people with him." Laidler said.

Sam Naismith also made a successful return from an ACL injury, having an instant impact in the second-half and finishing with nine disposals, three tackles and 19 hit-outs. 

Laidler lauded the perseverance of Naismith who has had a cruel run with injuries across the past few years, and is eager to see him progress following his opening hit-out of the new season.

“I was so pleased for Sam, he played the second half. He has had a really challenging time with his body and things outside of footy, but his attitude and commitment to all his rehab has been outstanding.” Laider said.

“He is so driven to get back and stay out of the park, you can see how excited he was running out there with the lads”.

Meanwhile, Amartey has showed no signs of slowing down after kicking nine goals in the opening four matches of the season, with his strong overhead mark a highlight of his form this year.

Laidler admits that dynamo forward will be pressing his claims for a start in the senior squad if he continues to produce performances such as his three-goal effort on Saturday. 

"Joel has taken his game to a new level and has been really consistent in his contest work and getting to as many contests as he can as a big key forward. When he goes into the ruck, he is having a real presence at stoppages and then at ground level so he has been a threat at both forward and ruck, in the air and on the ground." Laidler said.

"He kicked three goals, and could of kicked six or seven, but the pleasing thing was that he was getting those shots. Now it's about backing that up, which he has done for a couple of weeks now."

2. Kaiden Brand
14 disposals, six marks

3. Dylan Stephens
37 disposals, six marks

4. Ryan Clarke
41 disposals, three goals, 11 marks, two tackles

6. Logan McDonald
13 disposals, one goal, six marks

10. Sam Naismith
Nine disposals, three tackles, 19 hit-outs

15. Sam Gray
33 disposals

17. Will Gould
17 disposals, four marks

18. Callum Sinclair
12 disposals, two goals, four marks, six tackles, 16 hit-outs

19. Matt Ling
21 disposals 10 marks

28. Lewis Taylor
30 disposals, one goal, 12 marks

32. James Bell
19 disposals, five tackles

33. Marc Sheather
17 disposals, one goal, five tackles

35. Barry O'Connor
12 disposals, two tackles

36. Joel Amartey
18 disposals, three goals, eight marks

38. Colin O'Riordan
30 disposals, 10 marks

40. Malachy Carruthers
15 disposals, five marks, two tackles

50. Adam Gulden (C)
10 disposals, four marks, two tackles

52. Ryan Hebron
16 disposals, seven marks

53. Jake Bartholomaeus
14 disposals, three tackles

55. Harry Morrison
Nine disposals, one goal

56. Darcy Cordell
Eight disposals

64. Will Collis
11 disposals, five marks, three tackles