Nuggety midfielder Craig Bird spearheaded the Swans’ dominant 52-point win over Southport on Saturday afternoon.
Bird shrugged off a heavy tag to collect 32 disposals, lay seven tackles and boot a goal in the hosts’ 14.13 (97) to 6.9 (45) win at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Aside from a scrappy second term, the Swans dominated for most of the game to eventually kick away in the second half (eight goals to three) all the while thwarting all challenges from the Sharks.
NEAFL coach Marty Mattner said Bird’s performance will give the match committee something to ponder when the Swans’ senior squad is selected ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final rematch against Hawthorn.
“Birdy was really good,” Mattner said. “Having him in the middle allowed others to play some different roles and play with a bit more freedom.”
Harry Cunningham was in that boat after finishing with 23 possessions and six tackles while fellow on-ballers George Hewett (29 disposals and two goals) and Dan Robinson (25 disposals) provided plenty of dash and drive.
The Swans’ tall timber of Toby Nankervis, Sam Naismith and Tom Derickx dominated the hit outs and provided a bevy of targets around the ground and up forward.
The trio combined for 20 marks while Nankervis and Naismith impacted the scoreboard kicking three goals apiece.
“The big thing for those guys in the past few weeks is upping their work rate and taking some grabs, especially up forward,” Mattner added.
“It was pleasing to see our big guys working together and taking some grabs - hard work which resulted in them kicking three goals each.”
At the opposite end Geelong premiership player and Southport co-coach Josh Hunt was restricted to 15 touches and one goal thanks to a combined defensive effort from Harry Marsh and Zak Jones.
The Swans will enjoy a mini break courtesy of this weekend’s bye before a Round 8 encounter with the Brisbane Lions in Newcastle.
Summary
Swans 3.5 6.7 10.11 14.13 (97)
Sharks 1.1 3.4 4.6 6.9 (45)
Swans Goals: S Naismith, T Nankervis 3, G Hewett 2, Z Jones, J Hiscox, J Foote, A Davis, C Bird, J Rose
Swans Best: C Bird, D Robinson, G Hewett, T Nankervis, A Davis, H Marsh
