The Swans Reserves have played in their first draw of the AFL Canberra season, against Ainslie in Canberra on Saturday in very wet conditions.
Brett Meredith was the Swans’ best playing on ball and forward and kicking three goals while Dan Currie, who played in the ruck all day without a break, was also a standout. Ed Barlow, who had stints on ball, in the forward line and down back, was impressive too.
Kristin Thornton was also named in the best, alternating between the midfield and the backline, and Patrick Veszpremi was again in the best, playing on ball and forward.
Irishman Chris McKaigue, who was selected in the 2010 Rookie Draft at number 63 from County Derry, played well in the backline.
At the start of the first quarter the Swans were on top but the game turned into a real up-tempo, quality battle. At the five minute mark Craig Bird, who was playing his first game after suffering a stress fracture, kicked a goal after a pass from Dylan McNeil. Meredith kicked his first at the 12 minute mark after taking a mark 40 metres from goal before Ainslie kicked two to end the quarter two points down.
It took until the 15 minute mark of the second quarter for either team to score a goal with both teams giving everything they had. Ainslie were the first to goal, then at the 20 minute mark Thornton kicked one from a mark after the Swans’ forward pressure caused a turnover.
Five minutes later Lewis Johnston goaled after a pass from Veszpremi and after Barlow made a second effort at a contested ball and handballed to McKaigue, the Irishman kicked the Swans’ fifth goal. It was a fine effort, as McKaigue goaled on th run from 50m out. At half time the Swans were in front by 11 points.
The third quarter was played in very heavy rain which resulted in only two goals being scored for the quarter. Meredith kicked his second after a mark, and then Ainslie kicked the last goal of the quarter. By the end of the term Ainslie had reduced the margin to seven points.
Ainslie goaled two minutes into the final term, levelling the scores. It was a tight battle from then on, but at the 17 minute mark Meredeith kicked his third after a mark and a 50 metre penalty which placed him in the goal square.
At the 21 minute mark Ainslie kicked the final goal of the game to tie the scores and from there it was an arm wrestle. The Swans had a shot after the siren but due to the conditions it never looked like affecting the score.
Final Scores:
Swans Reserves - 2.1 (13) 5.5 (35) 6.6 (42) 7.8 (50)
Ainslie - 2.3 (15) 3.6 (24) 4.11 (35) 6.14 (50)
Goals: Meredith 3; Thornton, McKaigue, Johnston, Bird
Best: Meredith, Currie, Barlow, Thornton, Veszpremi, McKaigue
