LAVINGTON, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Peter Ladhams of the Swans in action during an AFL practice match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants at Lavington Sports Ground on February 25, 2022 in Lavington, Australia. (Photo by Mark Jesser/AFL Photos)

The Sydney Swans had their first pre-season practice match this evening in Albury against their Round 1 opponents, GWS who won the contest by 31 points. 

Both teams were able to get valuable match minutes in and execute things they had been working on in the pre-season ahead of meeting again for premiership points in a Sydney Derby in two weeks time.

A dampener on the Swans night was a hamstring injury to Tom Papley with the club taking a precautionary approach and the lively forward will be assessed in coming days.

A large crowd of over 7000 people turned out at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury as football returned to the country. The majority of fans were in red and white and the loudest cheer of the night was reserved for Lance Franklin when he hit the scoreboard, much to the delight of the border-town locals.

LAVINGTON, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Lance Franklin of the Swans in action during an AFL practice match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants at Lavington Sports Ground on February 25, 2022 in Lavington, Australia. (Photo by Mark Jesser/AFL Photos)

The crowd were entertained for over three hours as the two teams played 4x30 minute periods with an additional 2x20 minute periods where VFL listed players were predominantly the players on the field for both sides.

The Giants led for the majority of the match but the Swans stayed in the contest and cut the margin back to 15 points at the end of the fourth quarter. 

The Giants were able to maintain their lead in the VFL contest for the fifth and sixth periods and the scoreboard finished 18.18.126 to the Swans 13.17.95.

Pete Ladham's impressed in his first game in the red and white, booting two goals as did Hayden McLean while another Swans debutant, Paddy McCartin looked comfortable down back. Chad Warner was energetic bursting through the lines in the midfield and Isaac Heeney and James Rowbottom also put in good performances.

New draftees Angus Sheldrick, Matt Roberts and Lachie Rankin also featured in the latter stages of the match with Sheldrick kicking two goals.

Post match, Pete Ladham's said it had been a great experience heading to Albury and he enjoyed his first game in Swans colours and said there were plenty of learnings from the game.

"It was good to get out in the community and meet some new people and to play against an actual team rather than just ourselves," Ladhams said.

"Playing against an actual opposition it was a lot more fierce than playing against each other.

"There's some learnings we can take from it, we will review the game when we get back to Sydney. You can see some of the ball movement and defensive stuff we have worked on.

"For me personally it was (focussing) on a bit of forward craft. It was good (to kick two goals), it gives you a bit of confidence."

01:22

Ladhams impresses in first Swans hit-out

Hear from Peter Ladhams after he kicked two goals in his Swans debut against GWS in Albury.

The Swans final pre-season game is next Sunday, March 6 against the Kangaroos at GIANTS Stadium, commencing at 4.20pm. Eligible Swans match-access members will be able to redeem a complimentary ticket to this match and have been sent information regarding this. Non-members can purchase tickets here.