A fourth quarter revival led by Adam Goodes was a sight for sore eyes in what proved a tough day at the office for the Swans in Saturday’s second round NEAFL clash against the UWS Giants.
Goodes booted three goals (all in the final term) and finished with 28 possessions in the home side’s 63-point loss to the Giants at Tramway Oval.
After managing just three goals to three-quarter-time, the Swans finished on a good note by kicking six goals to three with Goodes named among the best alongside Zak Jones, Tom Mitchell and Dan Robinson.
Goodes’ goals, two of which showed the 353-gamer’s class, were just one of many positive aspects of his performance with the dual Brownlow Medallist directing traffic behind the play while providing a presence around the contest from the very first bounce.
Swans coach Marty Mattner said a lack of effort in the opening half gave the Giants a leg up.
“In the second half the boys gave the effort we needed to simply compete. That was a pleasing thing, but other than that there wasn’t much else to take away from the game,” he said.
“The Giants came to play in the first half, we didn’t. If we opened up with the same effort we had in the second half then it might have been a different story.
“It was good to see Goodsey running around and kick a few goals…he hasn’t lost it. His experience and polish was valuable and he gave us some midfield drive as well.”
It was one-way traffic for the first three quarters as the Giants pressed and peppered the goals. Windy conditions, favouring the Randwick end of the ground, made hitting targets all the more difficult coming out of defence.
Jones was up to the task while, in the absence of injured key defender Aliir Aliir (knee), Abaina Davis and Xavier Richards stood tall despite experienced Giants forward Will Hoskin-Elliott kicking five goals.
Around the ground Robinson and Mitchell were the linchpins of the Swans’ on-ball division. James Rose and Brandon Jack battled hard as did ruckmen Toby Nankervis and Sam Naismith.
Goodes played 82 percent game time while Tom Derickx, returning from knee soreness, was on mangaed game time.
Looking ahead, Mattner hoped the effort would be there for Saturday’s Anzac Day game against Gold Coast in McKay.
“It’s another big challenge for the boys. An away game against another tough opponent and AFL-listed club,” he said.
Summary
Swans 0.1 2.2 3.3 9.4 (58)
Giants 4.7 9.11 14.16 17.19 (121)
Swans Goals: Goodes 3, B Jack, McLaren, Naismith, Hiscox, Reinhard, McFadden
Swans Best: Jones, Mitchell, Goodes, Robinson, Jack, Nankervis
