Swans reserves fall to Lions in NEAFL
This article first appeared on sydneyswans.com.au
The Brisbane Lions reserves, current Northern Conference pacesetters, showed their class in the first game of the day at the SCG on Sunday.
Neither team was willing to give an inch in the opening half, with a tough contest across the ground ensuing from both undefeated sides.
After a three-goal Mitch Morton onslaught in the third term, followed by a Dean Towers set-shot goal on the stroke of three-quarter time siren, the Swans went to the final term with a handy – and well deserved – 14-point lead and the momentum of the game on their terms.
However with Morton removed for senior emergency duties, the Lions roared to life at the beginning of the final term, kicking six-straight goals to just six behinds from the Swans in the opening 18 minutes to take the game away from hosts.
The Lions eventually ran out 23-point victors, 15.14 104 to the Swans 11.15 81.
The visitors opened up the game with a midfield of Simon Black, Andrew Raines and Todd Banfield – who boast 472 games of senior experience – but for the Swans it was a QBE Sydney Swans Academy member who provided the early spark up forward. A strong, contested Tim Membrey grab led to a mark inside 50 from Lloyd Perris who slotted the Swans first from a set-shot, before moments later setting up Daniel Robinson with a clever centering kick. Robinson converted the set-shot and gave the Swans the lead at the first change.
In a prime example of the advantages of the revamped NEAFL competition, young Tom Mitchell got the role of going head-to-head with Black, the three-time premiership player, Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist, in the first half. In what was billed as Black’s last game before returning to the senior side, it was a great learning experience for Mitchell as both players continue building their match fitness.
Towers provided a great link for the Swans across the ground and probably played his most complete game since the conclusion of the pre-season competition, while the young Swans backline of Alex Brown, Xavier Richards and Jordan Lockyer was outstanding for the opening three quarters before the Lions took advantage of their open forward line in the final term and made it count heavily on the scoreboard.
Despite the seniors being on the road, the Swans reserves will remain in Sydney next weekend when they face the UWS Giants at Blacktown International Sportspark from 9:30am on Sunday.
Sydney Swans reserves 2.2 7.6 11.7 11.15 (81)
Brisbane Lions reserves 1.5 6.8 8.11 15.14 (104)
Goals – Morton 5, Towers 2, Perris, Robinson, Jack, Everitt
