SYDNEY 17.11 (113) def WEST COAST 11.13 (79)
THE Sydney Swans have cruised to a 34 point victory over the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium on Sunday afternoon putting the side a game clear in fourth spot on the AFL ladder.
The reigning premiers never looked in doubt as they broke the contest open in the second term, kicking six goals to two against the home side.
Dan Hannebery was outstanding for Sydney with 40 disposals and two goals. Swans co-captain Kieran Jack collected 30 touches and two goals while Josh Kennedy had 29 possessions and a goal.
Forward Kurt Tippett kicked lead the Sydney goal scorers with four, the Swans had 11 goal kickers in total.
Jed Lamb- who collected 19 possessions and kicked two goals- said post game that preparation for the long trip over was a huge factor for the Swans.
The preparation coming to Perth is a lot different to any other game,” he said.
“We came over on Thursday night and we had our main training session on Subi on the Friday morning and had all of our meetings and recovery over here.
“We had a bit of time off on (Saturday), so the boys got down to Cottesloe and Fremantle and had a bit of lunch and then it was really game mode when we came to the ground (on Sunday)”, said Lamb.
Josh Kennedy stood tall for West Coast, with four goals and 20 disposals. Chris Mastern continued his good form his season with 31 possessions and a goal, teammate Matthew Priddis also had 31 touches in the loss.
For West Coast, the loss extends the gap between the eighth placed Port Adelaide and ninth placed Carlton.
The Eagles take on the Western Bulldogs next week in Melbourne, and while a finals appearance remains slim at best given the run home a loss to the Bulldogs could end West Coast’s season.
Coach John Worsfold has yet to concede the Eagles will miss the finals.
“Not sure about finals chances. We’ll play out the season and see where we end up. So we’ll give it a red hot go”, said Worsfold.
Worsfold said his side was beaten in the midfield battle and reflected on his missing stars.
“Their midfield, they beat our midfield today,” Worsfold said.
“There’s no doubt about that. We were pretty happy with the effort our boys put up, but again just a little bit undermanned in that regard, especially with Rosa pulling out late and (Luke) Shuey going down.
Shuey was subbed out of the game at half time after suffering a hamstring injury- the Eagles were also without Scott Selwood, Sharrod Wellingham, Matt Rosa and Daniel Kerr.
The only injury concern for Sydney was a leg injury Ryan O’Keefe in the last quarter. The Swans face Richmond next Sunday at the SCG.
Here are the match highlights:
WEST COAST 3.4 5.6 6.8 11.13 (79)
SYDNEY SWANS 4.4 10.8 12.9 17.11 (113)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Wellingham, Dalziell, Morton, Cox, Darling, Naitanui, Masten
Sydney Swans: Tippett 3, Pyke 2, Lamb 2, K.Jack 2, Hannebery 2, Kennedy, Parker, White, Bolton, Mumford, B.Jack
BEST
West Coast: Masten, Priddis, Kennedy, LeCras, Glass, Darling
Sydney Swans: Hannebery, K.Jack, Kennedy, McVeigh, Pyke, Smith
INJURIES
West Coast: Rosa (replaced in selected side), Brennan (replaced in selected side), Shuey (hamstring)
Sydney Swans: O’Keefe (leg)
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Cale Morton replaced Luke Shuey (hamstring) at half-time
Sydney Swans: Harry Cunningham replaced Ryan O’Keefe (leg) during the final quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Meredith, Foot
Official crowd: 35,166 at the Patersons Stadium