Sydney Swans reserves coach Jared Crouch said he was proud of his team’s efforts in Saturday afternoon’s NEAFL Grand Final against the Brisbane Lions reserves in Aspley.

While disappointed that his team fell eight points short in this season’s decider, the second-year coach said the reserves gave everything they had in Saturday’s loss.

“There certainly is that big empty feeling because the boys worked so hard,” Crouch told SwansTV after the match.

“I certainly couldn’t question their effort today, (the Lions) were the best team in the competition all year and we had our chances but unfortunately we weren’t able to get over the line.”

The Swans reserves fielded one of their most inexperienced sides for the season in Saturday’s final, with just 10 listed players taking the field in the absence of regular players Jed Lamb, Gary Rohan, Shane Biggs, Harry Cunningham and Brandon Jack, who all made the trip over the Perth with the senior team.

Despite missing a large contingent of regulars, Crouch said he was impressed with the performance of the remaining listed and top ups that played in the decider.

“The Academy does a good job of developing these players, so a lot of those top-up players had played a fair bit of footy with us throughout the year, so they know our structures,” he said.

“It would have been handy to have a couple of other (Swans listed players), but I was certainly happy with the side we put out there today.

“They gave it their all and we just came up short, and unfortunately there is always is one team that is a loser on Grand Final day and that was us today”.

Crouch described his team as gallant in defeat, and highlighted 2012 draftee Tim Membrey as one of the best performers in Saturday’s big match.

Membrey finished the match as the leading goalkicker with five goals, and presented as a strong target throughout the match.

Crouch said Membrey, who finished the year with 46 goals in 18 matches, was one of the Swans reserves’ biggest improvers this season.

“It was a very good game for Tim,” he said.

“He probably didn’t cash in last week and had eight scoring shots and finished with 3.5, so he certainly made the most of his opportunities up forward today.

“It probably would have been nice to get it to him another half a dozen times because his kicking boot was certainly on.

“He was one guy that I was certainly very pleased with.”

The coach said he was also impressed with the efforts of ruckman Sam Naismith, who had the task on talented Lions ruckman Billy Longer for most of the match.

“We’ve been really keen to get Sammy some more game time at the end of the year and against an experienced ruckman like Billy (Longer) he certainly held his own.

“Hopefully next year with another full pre-season and if he stays injury free, then he can continue to make his mark on this competition and then who knows where he can go from there.”

Crouch said there was still a silver lining for the group as their season comes to an end.

“It was bit different to the midfield we’ve had during the season and at times we’ve had Tommy Mitchell racking up 50 possessions and Jed Lamb has played in and out of there as well as guys like Harry Cunningham,” he said.

“I’m pleased with where they’ve gotten and that’s what it’s about and seeing those guys on the big stage.

“You sometimes do feel down about losing a game like we did today but then I turn on the TV tonight and then you’re very proud of the young players who have gone through and are playing senior football.”