The Sydney Swans VFL team had their final pre-season match today against the Giants at Homebush ahead of their season starting next Saturday, April 17.
The Swans found themselves behind for most of the game but came home strong, kicking nine goals in an impressive final term to run out 37-point victors.
Coach Jeremy Laidler was pleased with his side's performance, particularly in the dominant final quarter with the Swans discovering what worked for them and how to stop the Giants ball movement as the game progressed.
"It was really pleasing to get the win," Laidler said.
"It was a challenging game, we have played them four or five times in the last few weeks and then we play them next week in Round 1 so we are definitely getting to know them. Our last quarter was really pleasing, we ended up running over the top of them which was good."
Laidler said he was happy with the tempo of the game with his side sticking to their high standards.
"We always try to stick to AFL standards, we don't accept anything lower because we are trying to get these boys as ready as we can for AFL so it's about consistency with the effort."
Will Hayward, Hayden McLean, Ryan Clarke and Dylan Stephens were amongst the goal scorers whilst Lewis Melican was the standout performer on the park.
Here's what Laidler had to say about several key performers:
Will Hayward:
He is just putting in consistent performances week in, week out and he's just got to keep knocking on Horse's (John Longmire) door and when the time comes he will be ready.
Hayden Mclean:
He took a few strong marks later in the game today and will continue to work on his consistency going forward.
Dylan Stephens:
We have been throwing Dylan around a bit, just trying to get him around the ball and use his attributes around the ball with his legs and drive out of the contest and then when he does go out on the wing, just holding his shape and running those patterns.
That's the challenge with going inside and out, and having that balance when he can impact, when he can't impact. I thought as the games have been going on, the second, third and fourth quarters his game continues to grow.
He's put a couple of good performances together and he will be ready if the time comes and he's putting pressure on the guys above him which is really pleasing.
That's the challenge when you have the AFL team going so well, there aren't many spots available but they are doing what they can control and putting their name up in the VFL and it makes the guys at the AFL level play at that high standard.
Lewis Melican:
Lewis was probably the standout for the whole game, just his desperation and how he competed. The key message for him is to just play at that AFL standard every time. He played against some really good opponents in Hogan and Sproule today.
Paddy McCartin:
All it was for him today was to get out there. He played a bit down back and forward and it was pleasing to see him out there. He will continue to build over the coming weeks and his body feels good.
The Sydney Swans VFL team kick off their first season in the new-look VFL competition on Saturday, April 17 at 12pm at Tramway Oval (opposite the SCG) as a pre-curser for Sydney Derby XX.
