Heartbreak for Redland as Sydney snatches victory in dying moments

Sydney remains undefeated three rounds into the 2019 NEAFL season with a gutsy seven-point win over the Redland in what was a close contest at Blacktown on Saturday.

As spectators watched from the edges of their seats, the Swans stole the Bombers’ opportunity to defeat them for the first time in the final quarter, kicking the last two goals to win 12.15 (87) to 12.8 (80).

With a young side including 12 AFL-listed players, Swans NEAFL coach Jeremy Laider said he was pleased by their performance, but that there is definitely room for improvement.

“It is really pleasing that we gritted our teeth and found a way, really, just to scrape over the line,” he told neafl.com.au.

“We let them dictate the game for most of the game. At half-time we spoke about stopping the uncontested marks, we were sort of sitting back a little bit and allowing them to play the way they wanted to.

“Once we turned that around and kicked the ball forward we capitalised.

“We sort of let them do the coaching out there just for a bit of a learning curve late in the game just to see how they’d adapt.

“We’re really pleased with how they went about it, and how we turned it up a notch in that last quarter to find a way to win.”

The Swans started strong with academy member Johnny Pawle at the forefront, kicking a goal from a spectacular mark in what was just his third game.

However, the Bombers gathered themselves late in the first quarter to take an early lead which built a momentum that continued into the second quarter, with Matt Hammelmann and debutant Billy Johnson each booting a goal from directly in front, from 51m and 45m respectively.

But it was a team effort from Sydney, including impressive performances from Nick Blakey with two goals, academy member Hamish Ellem with two goals and Sam Wicks with 27 disposals that secured the win.

For the Bombers, ruckman Craig Malone was a colossus, amassing an astonishing 71 hit-outs on his own, with the Bombers winning that stat 74-33.

Midfieler Jack Rolls (25 disposals, 13 clearances, eight inside 50s) was again superb in the midfield, but the side fell just short of an upset victory.

Heading into the NEAFL Round 4, the Swans will take on the GIANTS at Blacktown on Saturday.

Laider told neafl.com.au that they’ve played the GIANTS enough times to know that they’re a really quality side.

“The GIANTS have some really elite players. We’ll try to nullify their strengths and play to our strengths… and if we’ve got that even spread of contributors it’ll go a long way to hopefully winning,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bombers will take on NT Thunder at Scottsdale Park at 1:30pm on Saturday.

NEAFL ROUND 3

Sydney Swans v Redland Bombers at Blacktown International Sportspark

SYDNEY 2.5 4.7 7.10 12.15 (87)

REDLAND 3.2 7.4 10.6 12.8 (80)

GOALS – Sydney: N Blakey 2 H Ellem 2 S Wicks R Stoddart J Rose J Bell T Pink J Pawle C O’Riordan K McKellar. Redland: B Bailey 3 M Hammelmann 2 D Steven 2 W Johnson 2 C Cameron K Walsh J Rolls.

BEST – Sydney: N Blakey J Bell C O’Riordan L Melican S Wicks N Brewer. Redland: C Malone J Rolls M Stallard P Yagmoor M McGannon A Williams.