The Sydney Swans have held off a fast-finishing GIANTS outfit to record a hard-fought 14.15.(99) to 11.5.(71) victory at ENGIE Stadium on Friday night.
The Swans had a contingent of AFL experience helping in the win, with Peter Ladhams, Riley Bice, Robbie Fox and Taylor Adams all featuring in the victory.
Caiden Cleary impressed with 28 disposals and Corey Warner finished with 27 and a goal, while Dattoli kicked three goals for the second consecutive game, including a clean shot from 50m in the final term to all but seal the win.
It was goals galore in the opening term, with Green and Dattoli recording first Blood for the red and white, before Warner joined the scoresheet with a major of his own.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy talent Max King also made his presence felt with two goals in the first quarter, including one from 55m that sparked the red and white to a 20-point lead at the break
Hanily extended the lead early in the second quarter after the GiANTS gave away a 50m penalty, extending the lead to four goals.
Ladhams, who made his return to the VFL, lead with some elite tackle pressure and finished the first half with six tackles to go with his lone first-half goals.
Cleary and Warner, who were coming off impressive performances from the side's win over North Melbourne, were again at the forefront of the Swans strong start - finishing the opening half with 15 and 18 disposals respectively.
The Swans dominant first-half display saw them hold a healthy 35-point lead at the main break, with Ladhams providing plenty of grunt up forward and Riley Bice featuring prominently off halfback.
The GiANTS showed they wouldn't go down without a fight in the third quarter, kicking two goals midway through the term to keep the red and white on their toes.
The Swans were made to rue their kicking in the second-half, with six consecutive behinds a cause for concern as the GIANTS managed to reduce the deficit to 23 points.
The final quarter saw some resilient defence from the Bloods come to the fore, although some relentless attacking raids saw the GIANTS make it a close contest in the dying stages.
More to come.
