Ruckman Darcy Cameron and midfielder Jordan Foote led the way as the Sydney Swans grabbed a 74-point victory over the Northern Territory Thunder in Darwin on Saturday night.

Cameron collected 28 touches, 43 hit-outs and three goals, while Foote raked in 33 disposals and three majors of his own in the 19.14 (128) to 7.12 (54) win at TIO Stadium.

Midfielders Dean Towers (30 possessions, one goal) and Jordan Dawson (29 touches, one goal) also fired, while backman Alex Johnson produced another promising game as the Swans climbed from second to first on the ladder.

The Swans clinched a ninth win in a row to overtake the Southport Sharks in pole position in the Round 15 fixture.

Foote says seeing the likes of Colin O’Riordan and Nic Newman earn AFL call-ups spurs the NEAFL side on. 

“It’s definitely positive for us seeing that they can go in and have an impact in the senior side,” Foote said.

“It give us a lot of confidence and a lot of motivation each week to put in our best performance and put our names up for selection each week.”

Foote pieced together six senior games across 2016 and 2017 and produced his best game of the 2018 season in the Northern Territory clash.

He played his fourth game on his road back from a toe injury sustained in Round 1 and says he is pleased with the direction he is heading.

“I’m quite happy with this week’s performance,” Foote said.

“It wasn’t a great start to the season with the injury but I felt good this week and put in a solid performance.

“I just want to keep my body in good nick and push for selection.”

Young guns Jake Brown (23 touches, one goal) and James Bell (12 possessions, two goals) turned in strong games in Darwin, while powerful ruckman-forward Joel Amartey was another of the Swans’ best.

The 18-year-old last week signed a one-year rookie contract extension and capped his breakthrough week with a glittering display in a return of 19 touches and three goals.

A host of QBE Sydney Swans Academy stars produced brilliant games on the road to November’s national draft, with exciting prospects Josh Stern (24 disposals, one goal) and Bailey Stewart (22 touches, one goal) carrying the torch.

The Swans led at every change before putting on the afterburners in the final term, running in eight last-quarter goals to the Thunder’s zero en route to the percentage-boosting win.

Foote said development coach Tadhg Kennelly was rapt with his side’s performance in the sapping Darwin heat.

“He was very pleased with our effort to go up there in different conditions to what we’re used to,” Foote said.

“It was obviously a lot warmer and they often put in good performances on their deck, so it was just really positive that we got a convincing win up there.”

The Swans are now set to face the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG on Saturday morning.

The NEAFL game will bring in Sydney’s match with Gold Coast in the AFL, which will kick off at 2:10pm.

Sydney Swans
4.2 8.6 11.12 19.14 (128)
Northern Territory Thunder 3.4 5.7 7.11 7.12 (54)
Goals
– Sydney Swans: D Cameron 3, J Foote 3, J Amartey (3), J Bell (2), B Stewart, K Veerhuis, D Towers, C Kilpatrick, J Reinhard, J Stern, J Dawson, J Brown