The Sydney Swans reserves have concluded the home and away season with a strong 31-point win over the NEAFL Northern Conference ladder leaders, the Brisbane Lions reserves.

In windy conditions at the Lions’ home ground of Yeronga, the Swans got the better of the early exchanges, and much like they did against Hills Eagles the week before, they made it count on the scoreboard.

The Swans kicked the opening six goals of the match before the Lions had registered their first major of the afternoon at the 22-minute mark of the first quarter. But much like their senior side did last night, the Lions fought back, kicking the last three goals of the first term before reducing the margin to seven points early in the second quarter.

The Swans accelerated again late in the second term with the final four goals of the first half, before outscoring the Lions five goals to one in the third quarter to take a comfortable 61-point lead to the final change.

The Lions finished the better of the two sides with six final quarter goals to just the one from the visitors, but the Swans did enough to record an impressive win and temporarily go to top spot on the Eastern Conference ladder.

After missing out on senior selection for this afternoon’s senior match against the Western Bulldogs, Trent Dennis-Lane returned to the reserves and finished as the leading goalkicker on the ground with five. Matt Spangher and Tommy Walsh also continued their impressive goalkicking form, with each contributing three majors, while Andrejs Everitt kicked two goals in a best on ground performance.

The reserves fate for the first week of the finals will be decided this afternoon when current second-placed side Queanbeyan take on last-placed Tuggeranong in Canberra. Should Tuggeranong cause an upset, the Swans will have a bye in the first week of the finals. If Queanbeyan win, they claim the minor premiership and the Swans will host the third-placed side - looking most likely to be Ainslie - in a Qualifying Final next Saturday, August 25.

Sydney Swans Reserves        6.3    11.5    16.11    17.15 117
Brisbane Lions Reserves       3.1      6.2        7.4        13.8 86

Goal Kickers: T. Dennis-Lane 5, M. Spangher 3, T. Walsh 3, D. McNeil 2, A. Everitt 2, H. Cunningham, N. Gordon ?
Best Players: A. Everitt, J. Moore, C. Heath, D. McNeil, J. White