The Swans have beaten the GIANTS by 25-points in a Friday night practice match that had everything, with a power failure halting play and an injury concern for young midfielder Will Setterfield.
A crowd of around 3,000 people saw the Swans run out winners at Henson Park, 11.11 (77) to the GIANTS’ 7.10 (52).
Setterfield looks set for an extended stint on the sidelines after what appears to be an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament during the third quarter.
The 20-year-old had impressed in the midfield before a tackle on the wing saw Setterfield land awkwardly and grab for his knee.
Both sides named 29-man squads packed full of stars, with the Swans playing star forward Lance Franklin and captain Josh Kennedy while the GIANTS featured forward Jeremy Cameron, reigning Kevin Sheedy Medallist Josh Kelly and co-captain Callan Ward.
The Swans started the better of the two sides, kicking four first-quarter goals through Gary Rohan, Franklin, James Rose and Callum Sinclair.
Josh Kelly was the GIANTS’ sole goal-kicker in the first term as the team from the west worked their way into the game.
Trailing 28-7 at quarter-time, the GIANTS hit the ground running in the second term, showing off some of their trademark two-way
The match marked the return of veteran Ryan Griffen, who last took to the field at AFL level in round three last year when he suffered the first of two serious ankle injuries for the season.
With Zac Williams sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury suffered in the pre-season, Griffen slotted into that role across half-back; prolific early and demonstrating his experience and class with his ball use.
Lachie Whitfield, who starred in last week’s AFLX tournament, also spent time across half-back position as the GIANTS tried out different looks for the upcoming season.
Last year’s number 11 pick Aiden Bonar was again solid - after debuting in the orange and charcoal last Saturday at Allianz Stadium - slotting a goal in the second quarter.
Jeremy Cameron, back out on the field after missing the club’s last two finals with a hamstring injury, took a strong pack mark 20 minutes into the second quarter and slotted the goal to give the GIANTS the lead for the first time.
He lined up alongside Jonny Patton, who
Draftees Nick Shipley and Jack Buckley and second-year GIANT Lachie Tiziani suited up to take to the field in the second-half with Griffen and Nick Haynes - who impressed in his two quarters - rested after the main break.
The Swans’ Sam Reid opened the scoring in the second-half with a nice grab deep in the forward line, converting from straight in front before Tom McCartin and Jake Lloyd kicked back-to-back goals in quick succession to give the Swans back the lead.
Patton kicked his second with a nice snap over the shoulder to keep the GIANTS in close touch before their momentum was halted by the injury to Setterfield.
After Setterfield was helped off the ground, the Swans took advantage with a nice dribbling goal from Ben Ronke, followed by a Sam Naismith major, booting the ball through from a scrap on the goalline.
Harry Cunningham and Ryley Stoddart added to the score for the Swans as they
With a power failure preventing the lights from turning on and the siren not working, the third quarter ran for over 35-minutes before the two teams stopped for a break.
After initially looking at calling the match finished after the three quarters, the two teams decided that a final 10 minutes would be played in the fading light.
Both sides had chances in the final term but no goals were kicked and the Swans ran out 11.11 (77) winners to the GIANTS’ 7.10 (52).
For the GIANTS, Matt Flynn showed plenty of promise playing in the ruck alongside Dawson Simpson while off-season recruits Dylan Buckley (Carlton) and Lachie Keeffe (Collingwood) again ran out in the orange and charcoal after wearing the jumper for the first time in AFLX.
Fellow AFLX-er Jeremy Finlayson had some nice moments in
Phil Davis, Rory Lobb, Brett Deledio, Tom Scully, Toby Greene and Aidan Corr were amongst the names who didn’t feature in Friday night’s game but are expected to be in the mix when the GIANTS take on Collingwood in their opening JLT Community Series match at UNSW Canberra Oval next Thursday night.
GIANTS 1.1 6.5 7.8 7.10 (52)
Swans 4.4 4.6 11.10 11.11 (77)
Goal Kickers
GIANTS: Patton 2, Kelly, de Boer, Reid, Bonar, Cameron
Swans: Rohan, Franklin, Rose, Sinclair, Reid, McCartin, Lloyd, Ronke, Naismith, Cunningham, Stoddart
