SYDNEY SWANS       4.2    10.7  15.12   16.14  (110)
BRISBANE LIONS    3.4     7.4     8.7      9.9      (63)

A career high six goals from young forward Sam Reid has lead the Swans to a 47 point win over the Lions and top spot on the AFL ladder.

It sets up a mouthwatering clash with the second spot Eagles next week as the teams look set to reignite the rivalry which enthralled thousands during their premiership years of 2005/06.

Whilst the Swans are proving to look ready to become premiership contenders once again, the Lions still look some ways off from reclaiming the throne they held for three years early last decade.

Coach Michael Voss had set his team up to show the footy world that his side was ready once more for finals action, and the Lions certainly began in that fashion, kicking the opening three goals.

The Swans responded, eventually claiming a narrow lead at the first change before Reid took over the contest.

The youngster who often has problems in front of goal had no issues, sparking the Swans into action. With the Lions kicking the last two goals of the opening half to remain in contention, Reid kicked two and the Swans kicked four in quick succession in order to kill the contest.

Reid was ably helped by Adam Goodes, who seemed to have shaken off the rust that had plagued his return from an injury. Goodes kicked three goals and took 13 marks – the most of anyone on the ground.

Jarrad McVeigh was also a standout, with 34 disposals and two goals highlighting the depth this Swans’ group has in the centre. Josh Kennedy, Kieran Jack and Jude Bolton also had strong performances, but it seems someone different steps up every week and completely dominates the contest from the middle. The result of this is a clearance group that is very difficult to stop.

Although the Swans won comfortably, the Lions were far from disgraced against a side that now resides on top of the ladder. The calls that they may have been ready to compete in the finals were premature, but the steady improvement from this side shows that they aren’t far off.

Votes

3 Mcveigh

2 Reid

1 Goodes


GOALS
Sydney Swans: Reid 6, Goodes 3, McVeigh 2, Jetta, Hannebery, McGlynn, Pyke, O’Keefe
Brisbane Lions: Karnezis 2, Rich 2, Brown 2, Raines, Bewick, Crisp

BEST
Sydney Swans: McVeigh, Malceski, Kennedy, Reid, Grundy, Goodes, Richards
Brisbane Lions: Adcock, Drummond, Hanley, Rich, Zorko

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Marty Mattner (groin) replaced in selectedside by Nick Malceski
Brisbane Lions: Simon Black (knee) replaced in selected side by Claye Beams

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Tony Armstrong replaced Alex Johnson in thefourth quarter
Brisbane Lions: Claye Beams replaced Josh Green in the third quarter

Umpires: Farmer, Leppard, Schmitt

Official crowd: 19,419 at the SCG