Swans reserves too good for UWS Giants

Five goals to Mitch Morton and four to Jed Lamb helped steer the Sydney Swans reserves to a 62-point win against the UWS Giants at Skoda Stadium on Saturday morning.

The Giants, who were boosted by the inclusions of Israel Folau, Dom Tyson, Rhys Palmer and Josh Growden, burst out the blocks to lead at both quarter time and half time.

But the Swans came out firing in the second half, kicking 12 goals to two – including nine in the third quarter – to make it 10 wins from the last 11 games and temporarily move back to the top of the Eastern Conference ladder (Queanbeyan returned to the top by beating Sydney Uni).

After gaining a place in the 25-man senior squad for their Sunday match against Carlton, Mitch Morton finished as the Swans leading goalkicker with five majors, and along with Jed Lamb – who finished the game with four goals and a little bit of physicality during a three-quarter time melee – were the main avenues to goal in the third term blitz that swung the game in the Swans favour.

Jesse White was again a key contributor as the Swans main ruckman against UWS’ pairing of Andrew Phillips and Israel Folau, with Jarred Moore the best of the red and white midfielders as he continues his outstanding form.

But it was the Swans defence, admirably led by rookie-listed pair Campbell Heath and Jack Lynch, that halted UWS’ momentum after the first quarter, conceding only four goals in the final three quarters of football.

UWS Giants coach Brett Hand praised a number of other players, including Dom Tyson, who also made a return from injury and saw a lot of the football early on in the piece.

Andrew Phillips put in another impressive display, with a strong showing in the ruck. Stephen Clifton pushed his claims for a senior recall with great work all over the ground. Shaun Edwards provided some great run off the half back flank early on and Jack Hombsch was also strong deep in defence.

Hand was full of praise for the return of Josh Growden, who was playing his first game of football after missing fifty-one weeks with a broken leg.

The Sydney Swans reserves will again look to put pressure on Queanbeyan at the top of the NEAFL Eastern Conference table when they tackle Sydney Hills Eagles at ANZ Stadium from 4pm next Saturday. This will be the Swans first meeting against the Eagles, who also plied their trade in the Foxtel Cup this year, and the team’s final home game before the finals start on the last weekend in August.

Sydney Swans reserves 3.3 6.6 15.10 18.18 (126)
UWS Giants 5.1 7.6 8.6 9.10 (64)

To read the Swans match report please visit http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/143577/default.aspx

To read the Giants match report please visit http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/swans-fly-over-uws-giants.html