Sydney ends pre-season on winning terms over GIANTS

The Sydney Swans will head into the 2019 NEAFL season on a winning note with a 43-point victory over the GWS GIANTS at Tom Wills Oval on Saturday.

The Swans dominated in the third quarter of the game to convincingly win 11.13 (79) to 5.6 (36).

With the Swans set to meet the Giants in Round 1 next Saturday, Sydney NEAFL coach Jeremy Laidler said that he was pleased with the performance of his team.

“I thought most of the boys played their part when they had to and had a pretty strong mindset going into the game,” he told neafl.com.au.

“It was about making sure we were on the front foot from the first bounce, playing the game in our half, not letting them have any easy outlets and any easy possessions.

“We were expecting that the GIANTS were going to come out and really contest the game and we got that and I suppose that it is going to be the same next week.”

The GIANTS had a less-experienced team on the park, fielding 11 AFL-listed players to Sydney’s 16.

The home side was three goals down at half-time, but it was third term which did the damage when the Swans booted four goals to one.

Laider said the team benefited greatly from the experience of senior players such as Kieren Jack, with the young players in particular learning as much as they can.

“The young first year players thrive off having Kieren in the team,” he said.

“Kieren has come back with a really great attitude to help himself get back into the seniors and then help the young boys around him – he is always open to helping the boys grow as people and as players.

“Rowy (Rowbottom), Belly (Bell) and Justin McInerney have all been a sponge to Kieren – learning from the best – so to have him around the boys when we can is great for the group.”

The Sydney Swans will take on the GWS GIANTS in Round 1 at Sydney Showground next Saturday.

NEAFL Practice Match at Tom Wills Oval

GWS GIANTS v Sydney Swans 

SYDNEY 3.2 6.4 10.7 11.13 (79)

GIANTS 1.0 3.1 4.3 5.6 (36)