It was a cold day at the SCG and unfortunately the hot starting Pies cooled down after quarter time to fall 33 points short of an impressive Sydney reserves side.

Q1

Jacob Booth got the Pies underway with an awesome set shot from the edge of 50m. Booth finished the day with 13 disposals and 2 goals. He’s provided a good target inside 50 as he returns from an injury interrupted pre-season.

The moment of the quarter was Will Kelly’s athletic interception about 70m out. He collected the ball and launched on the run, kicking truely to get the Pies’ 2nd. Spending most of the day on Swans’ youngster Logan McDonald, Kelly was a brick wall in defence. He was fantastic intercepting the ball and had multiple defensive spoils throughout the game. Kelly had 7 touches, 4 marks and a goal at quarter time, easily the most influential player on the ground.

Trent Bianco was equally as impressive in the first quarter. Finishing on 10 disposals for the quarter, Bianco was industrious around the contest and provided first use for the outside running midfielders to get the ball moving forward. In his second game for the season, Bianco ended the game with 23 disposals. His tackling has been a stand-out aspect to his game, leading the team for the second week in a row with 7 tackles.

QT Score - Swans 1.5.11 v Pies 2.1.13

Q2

3 goals to start the second term saw the Pies lead by 21 points.

Booth got his second and then it was Liam McMahon and Mason Cox who both finished off their opportunities in front of goal to get the Pies away.

Cox kicked 2 for the game in what was a generally quiet performance. He played an important role balancing ruck duties with a position deep in the forward line.

McMahon continues to string games together. Not quite ready for the top level yet, McMahon is developing nicely in that dynamic tall forward role for the Pies.

Unfortunately after that it was all Sydney, 6 goals to 1 to end the second quarter had the Swans take a 13 point lead into the major break.

HT Score - Swans 7.9.51 v Pies 6.2.38

Q3

The Swans got the first of the second half and were well on top.

If it wasn’t for Callan Wellings, the scoreline might have looked even worse. Wellings was dependable in defence, playing a role quite deep for most of the match. His work rate exemplified all game, pushing up the ground as the Pies tried to win the territory game. Wellings broke through a stoppage at 60m and threw the ball on the boot. A fortunate bounce rolled through the big sticks to bring the Pies back to 14 points. Wellings finished the game with 22 disposals to go with his goal.

The leaders had to stand up in the third term as the Swans piled on the pressure. Lachie Tardew had a captain’s performance, earning himself the Collingwood player of the match award. Tardew slotted a set shot from the boundary, reward for a fantastic intercepting spoil on half forward. He had 27 disposals for the match including 5 marks.

The Pies were able to get the score back to just 9 points the difference leading into the final term.

3QT Score - Swans 8.12.60 v Pies 8.3.51

Q4

A stalemate start to the 4th quarter was broken open by the Swans when Callum Sinclair kicked the Swans ahead.

The boys never gave up, an indisputable trait of the VFL side.

Ned Moyle fought valiantly against a very experienced Sydney ruck duo of Sinclair and Sam Naismith. Moyle wasn’t able to make his presence felt on the scoreboard with 2 behinds, however he led the match for hit-outs with 23 over Naismith’s 19 and Sincalir’s 16.

Another player who leaves everything on the field is Jack Madgen. Madgen played a role deep in defence to make up for Tom Wilson playing AFL. Madgen had 22 disposals for the afternoon but was important in setting up the team behind the ball with his leadership and communication.

Unfortunately the Swans were able to kick way in the final term, Ryan Clarke kicking his 3rd to go with his 41 disposals as the home side finished 33 points ahead.

A disappointing end to a tough afternoon at the SCG.

Final Score
Swans 12.14.86
Collingwood 8.5.53

Goals: Booth 2, Cox 2, Kelly, McMahon, Tardew, Wellings
Best: Tardew, Wellings, Booth, Bianco, Madgen, Kelly