Sydney Swans duo Robbie Fox and Colin O’Riordan produced scintillating games to lead their club to a 45-point win over GWS at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon.
Fox finished with 37 touches, eight tackles and three goals as O’Riordan gathered 40 possessions, inspiring the Swans to a fourth win in a row to open the season, 13.19 (97) to 7.10 (52).
Sydney development coach Jeremy Laidler was thrilled with the performances of Fox and O’Riordan.
“Robbie and Colin really steered the ship. They were driving it. They played to their strengths, they were hard around the footy and they both played in the midfield as well as down back. They’re really knocking the door down,” Laidler told Swans Media.
“Colin’s put together some really solid performances over the past few weeks, and ‘Foxy’ is continuing to grow as a player. They both did the basics really well today and it showed.”
First-year livewire and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Sam Wicks was another of the side’s best, posting 18 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals as he split his time between the forward line and midfield.
Young ruckman Darcy Cameron collected 24 touches, 27 hit-outs and a goal on return from injury in a battle with imposing Giant Dawson Simpson, while Sydney speedsters Justin McInerney (23 touches) and James Bell (22) also impressed.
The Swans’ number one 2017 draft pick, the lightning-quick Matt Ling, also gave Sydney supporters reason to cheer, with the youngster taking part in the second half in his third game back from injury.
A total of 11 Academy top-ups bolstered the Swans in the Sydney Derby clash, with big-framed forward John Pawle leading the way with three goals.
Laidler was rapt with the young star’s performance.
“John has been playing his role really well and keeping it simple,” Laidler said.
“He’s thriving off the AFL-listed players which is great to see. We never ask too much of the Academy boys because they’re very young, but John was fantastic today.”
The Swans led the Giants at every change, and although they held a comfortable 23-point buffer at three-quarter time, they’d storm to five final-term goals to the opposition’s two to put the game beyond doubt.
The win means Sydney has beaten GWS twice in season 2019, with the Swans having opened their campaign with a 29-point victory over their arch-rival.
Laidler underlined his charges’ consistent effort throughout the Round 4 fixture.
“It started from the first bounce. We tried to dictate terms and it was probably the first time this year we’ve played a four-quarter performance,” Laidler said.
“Right from the opening bounce we got after them, we kept the game really simple and I thought we executed our game plan really well, which was very pleasing.
“I was really proud of the boys’ efforts and we’ll take a lot of confidence out of today’s game.”
Sydney is now set to face the Brisbane Lions at South Pine Sports Complex in Queensland’s capital city next Saturday afternoon.
Sydney Swans 3.1 6.7 8.15 13.19 (97)
GWS 2.4 3.8 5.10 7.10 (52)
Goals – Sydney: R Fox 3, J Pawle 3, J Amartey 2, S Wicks 2, D Cameron, J Schumack, T Tyson
