The Sydney Swans reserves have claimed the NEAFL Eastern Conference Premiership with a stunning 52-point win over Belconnen at Kippax Oval on Sunday.
In front of a lively Canberra crowd in sunny conditions, the Swans led at every change to claim their first Eastern Conference Premiership, after falling short to Canberra sides in the past two seasons.
Swans half back Tony Armstrong was awarded the Alex Jesaulenko Medal for Best on Ground, following an impressive four quarter performance, while Jed Lamb and Xavier Richards were also strong contributors for the team.
The first quarter began with frenetic pace, with both sides keen to stamp their authority on the game early in the match.
The Magpies pushed forward early in the opening term, but were unable to capitalise on early opportunities, while the Swans reserves utilised dual premiership player Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Gary Rohan as forward targets.
Roberts-Thomson, who played his first match since round four this season in Sunday’s grand final, fittingly kicked the first goal for the match following a perfectly waited kick from Dean Towers, which eluded three Belconnen defenders to find the Swans veteran.
Rohan was also instrumental up forward for the Swans in the first term, and set up Tony Armstrong for his first goal following a strong mark near the boundary line, while Lamb, who was named captain for the grand final, and Towers were prominent for the visitors early on.
Belconnen forward Shane Harris kept the Magpies in the hunt in the opening term with two first quarter goals, including a late goal which kept the home side within four points at the first change.
The Swans reserves stepped it up in the second term and goals to Rohan, Tim Membrey, Jake Lloyd and top up player Jack Hiscox gave the Swans 23-point-lead at the long break.
At the other end of the ground, Richards was cool down back and took a number of steadying marks deep in defence, while Armstrong was also influential off the half back line, providing the side with plenty of run and good delivery into the forward 50.
The Swans reserves began the second half where their left off, scoring the first two goals of the third term.
Roberts-Thomson showed his skills early in the quarter when he kept the ball inside the boundary line, stepped around his opponent and handballed to Membrey, who added the finishing touch with a sensational snap on goal.
Towers put in his entry for goal of the year just inside forward 50 for the Swans, but his efforts were marred by his attempt to play on, which saw him caught holding the ball.
A late goal to Dan Robinson gave the Swans reserves a 34-point lead at the final change after keeping the Magpies to just one goal in the third term.
Towers again showed off his blistering speed in the last and set up Membrey for his third goal of the match, while crowd favourite Roberts-Thomson capped off his long-awaited return with his second goal of the match from 30 metre out on the angle.
LRT was then retired out of the match after 80 minutes on field for the Swans reserves, in what was an encouraging return to the field for the big man.
Lamb’s silky skills were also on show in the final term, while top up player Thomas Head should be earmarked as a player of the future following a terrific contested mark in the goal square, which he topped off with a goal.
A goal to big Sam Naismith capped off a sensational performance for the Swans reserves, who outscored Belconnen five goals to two in the final term to claim the Eastern Conference title.
Sydney Swans reserves 3.1 7.6 10.8 15.11 (101)
Belconnen Magpies 2.2 3.5 4.10 6.13 (49)
Goals: Membrey 3, Roberts-Thomson 2, Armstrong, Vivic, Rohan, Lloyd, Hiscox, B. Jack, Robinson, Towers, Head, Naismith.
