GOLD COAST 2.1 5.2 7.4 8.6 (54)
SYDNEY SWANS 6.3 8.7 16.9 19.12 (126)
Once again Suns captain Gary Ablett has produced a masterclass yet has still been powerless to stop his Suns from being completely dismantled by a superior opponent.
The Swans rotated opponents off the Brownlow Medallist, allowing their midfield group to quickly take control of proceedings as Ablett desperately searched for a helping hand. Kieran Jack, Josh Kennedy and Ryan O’Keefe all had big games, setting up the comfortable victory.
The Swans entered the contest on top of the ladder – equal with the Crows. The win sees them a game clear of the Crows and Hawks, and the healthy percentage boost may prove to be invaluable by the end of the season.
The win came at a cost however, with star forward Sam Reid appearing to seriously injure his knee in the first term and Adam Goodes limping from the field in the last.
Coach John Longmire was confident that Reid’s injury would only be a minor setback, and hoped the forward would be back before finals whilst Goodes could be fine to play next week.
Reid’s absence was covered by Lewis Roberts-Thompson, who kicked a game high four goals.
The Suns battled valiantly, but it was a case of too little experience under pressure as the Swans’ intense and tough game style battered the young side into submission.
Votes
3 O’Keefe
2 Kennedy
1 Ablett
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Roberts-Thomson 4, Goodes 3, Bolton 3, Jack 2, Dennis-Lane 2, Bird, Hannebery, Jetta, McVeigh,Kennedy
Gold Coast: Matera 3, Smith 2, Ablett, Brown, Lynch
BEST
Sydney Swans: Jack, Kennedy, O’Keefe, Pyke, Bolton, McVeigh
Gold Coast: Ablett, Harbrow, Hine, Stanley, Warnock, Matera
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Reid (knee), Goodes (corked thigh)
Gold Coast: Brown (TBC), Swallow (corked leg)
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Craig Bird replaced Sam Reid in the first quarter
Gold Coast: Liam Patrick replaced David Swallow in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Leppard, Wenn
Official crowd: 11,169 at Metricon Stadium
