The Sydney Swans reserves have opened their season with an impressive 54-point win over the Brisbane Lions reserves at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon.

The match, which was played as a curtain closer to the Brisbane Lions clash with Geelong, saw the Swans reserves lead at every change to claim victory over the reigning premiers in the first round of the NEAFL competition.

On a humid and wet Brisbane afternoon, the Swans set the tone early, holding the home side goalless while booting five goals of their own in the first half.

The Swans midfield, led by Dan Robinson, Jake Lloyd and Harry Marsh, was dominant and benefitted from being given first ball use by ruckman, Sam Naismith, who was among the team’s best players.

The Lions bounced back in the third quarter, outscoring the Swans four-goals-to-three, with forward Jono Freeman kicking two for the home side.

But the Swans went again in the final term, with defenders Jeremy Laidler, Matthew Dick, Xavier Richards and Zak Jones all stepping up the physicality to again hold the Lions goalless.

A four-goal final term for the Swans saw them finish the game with a nine-goal win, with Membrey, Marsh and top-up player Isaac Heeney kicking two goals apiece for the match.

Dean Towers kicked one goal and was named as one of the Swans best players alongside Naismith, Dick, Robinson and Shane Biggs.

Both the Swans and Lions reserves fielded young teams for the opening round clash, with last year’s four draftees taking the field in Jones, George Hewett, Toby Nankervis and Aliir Aliir- as well as two rookies including international recruit Patrick Mitchell and former QBE Sydney Swans Academy player, Lloyd Perris.

The Swans reserves will turn their focus to next Sunday’s round two clash against UWS at Spotless Stadium.

SWANS RESERVES    3.6   5.10   8.10   12.17(89)
LIONS RESERVES      0.2    0.2     4.2    4.11 (35)

Goals: I. Heeney 2, T. Membrey 2, H. Marsh 2, J. Lloyd , J. Hiscox , D. Towers , J. Weir , T. McCaffrey , A. Aliir

Best: D. Towers, M. Dick, S. Naismith, S. Biggs, D. Robinson