Collingwood draftee Sam Swadling has had a career-best outing in the VFL, with the defender racking up 39 disposals along with a goal in the Pies’ loss to the Swans.
Swadling was a shining light in what was otherwise tough day for the Pies, who went down by 52 points at Tramway Oval.
Sydney immediately stacked on the pressure to kick start the game, with four unanswered goals to put Collingwood on the back foot early.
After a missed shot in the early minutes, VFL-listed forward Xavier Laverty redeemed himself with a goal in his second game for the black and white.
Laverty looked dangerous inside 50 but finished with just one goal from four shots.
AFL-listed rookie Jai Saxena also managed to find the big sticks after a classy pass from Will Phillips, with the 18-year-old kicking his seventh VFL goal this season.
While the second quarter saw the Swans continue their scoreboard pressure, the Pies were able to go toe-to-toe, with Zac McCarthy and Liam Hude able to provide quick replies.
The back end of the second term saw both teams hit a stalemate before Sydney finally added two consecutive majors to extend their lead to 31 at the half.
The second half was all Sydney, with the Swans kicking seven goals from eight attempts to continue to their onslaught.
Saxena managed to find his second of the afternoon following a swift crumb from the back of the pack, while ruckman Iliro Smit added two majors to his name.
Laverty – who kicked one goal with five behinds in the first half – finally found his second major of the day, while Sam Swadling kicked his first VFL goal after racking up a game-high 39 disposals.
It wasn’t enough to combat the Swans however, with Pies going down by 52 points at Tramway Oval.
MATCH CENTRE: SYDNEY V COLLINGWOOD
The numbers:
2025 draftee Sam Swadling continued his strong VFL form, with the 19-year-old finishing with a career-high 39 disposals and nine marks to go along with his first goal at the level.
Fellow draftee Tyan Prindable also impressed, finishing with 24 disposals at 92% efficiency along with five inside 50s and four clearances, as too did VFL-listed midfielder Oskar Faulkhead (25 disposals, five score involvements).
Jai Saxena (12 disposals), Iliro Smit (13 hitouts) and Xavier Laverty (four marks) each finished with two goals, while Harvey Harrison had a team-high six tackles.
Collingwood will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s clash with Werribee.
GOALS:
Sydney: Joel Hamling (5), Mitch Mellis (3), Hayden McLean (2), Caiden Cleary (2), Corey Warner, Tom Ryan, Jevan Phillipou, Charlie Peters, Jedd Longmire, Luke Giacometti, Julian Callegari
Collingwood: Jai Saxena (2), Iliro Smit (2), Xavier Laverty (2), Sam Swadling, Zac McCarthy, Harry Kennedy, Liam Hude
