The Sydney Swans have recorded a tough defeat at the hands of the GWS Giants, suffering a 8.7 (55) 13.15 (93) loss at the Holden Centre on Sunday evening.
A vast majority of the playing squad consisted of players from the NAB League, with 13 of the 22-man squad joining forces from different clubs in the under 19's representative competition, to assist the Bloods as the rest of the VFL side were unable to travel to Victoria due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
It was an incredibly valiant effort from a young squad that had just nine AFL listed players, with the likes of Lewis Taylor (32 disposals and two goals), Callum Sinclair (25 disposals, one goal and 45 hit-outs), Ryan Clarke (30 disposals and five tackles) and Nick Blakey (20 disposals) leading from the front with courageous performances.
The opening term was fiercely fought with the Giants opening the scoring, although goals from Cobi Maxted and Taylor ensured a late fightback with back-to-back goals.
The first-half came to a close with the Giants holding a comfortable lead, before extended their lead following some rapid-fire efforts late in the third term.
Hayden McLean found a way on the scoresheet with a nice goal late in the contest, and despite their best efforts to earn a reprieve, their efforts were to no avail as the Giants ran away with a 38-point victory.
FOURTH QUARTER
FULL-TIME
The Swans suffer a tough defeat but nonetheless an incredible effort from a young squad. Final score: Swans 8.7 (55) Giants 13.15 (93)
15' Finn Ellis Castle picks up the scraps and kicks his first.
9' Lewis Taylor with 30 disposals. Finding plenty of it!
5' Hayden McLean gets his first major. Keep fighting, Bloods!
THIRD QUARTER
Swans 6.4.40 Giants 11.13.79
3/4 TIME Giants with a strong lead as we head into the final term, but there young Swans aren't going down without a fight!
29' Taylor our leading possession winner with 23 disposals, while Ryan Clarke also finding plenty with 21 of his own.
23' Fraser Marris gets one back with a nice shot in front of goal.
10' Nick Blakey bringing plenty of pressure around the contest,. We trail by five goals.
2' Ben Ronke nails his first of the evening and our first of the third quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
Swans 4.2 26 Giants 9.9.63
HALF-TIME Giants finish the half strong with consecutive goals to take a handy lead into the break.
Sinclair (16 disposals, one goal and 21 hit-outs), while Taylor (two goals and 14 disposals) impressing so far.
20' Taylor gets hit second! A cracking strike gets us right back in it!
19' Sinclair continuing to impress with 13 disposals and 17 hit-outs.
14' Sinclair hits a beautiful set shot to get our first of the quarter.
5' Young Swans holding their own here.
FIRST QUARTER
Swans 2.0.12 Giants 3.5.23
1/4 time Giants hold a slender lead at the end of the opening term.
Ryan Clarke finding plenty of the footy with seven disposals, while Maxted and Taylor are the two goal scorers.
22' We've hit the front through Lewis Taylor!
15' Colin O'Riordan and Callum Sinclair have five disposals each, while Sinclair is impressing in the ruck with eight hit-outs.
10' BANG! Cobi Maxted gets our opening goal!
0' We're underway! Let's go, Bloods!
TEAM LIST
3. Dylan Stephens
4. Ryan Clarke
17. Will Gould
18. Callum Sinclair
22. Nick Blakey
25. Ben Ronke
28. Lewis Taylor
38. Colin O'Riordan
41. Hayden McLean
NAB League players
Gennaro Bove
Ryan O'Keefe
Cobi Maxted
Fraser Marris
Cooper Smith
Logan Young
Sam Witherden
Finn Ellis Castle
Isaac Lovison
William Kilpatrick
Oliver Wiltshire
Kyle Skene
Matthew Keast
