GVL | Swans come out on top under lights

United were up by a point at quarter time, however the Swans were on top from that point on, with the final score 13.13 (91) to 9.12 (66).

With the two sides full of young talent, it was an entertaining game under lights, despite dew making the field slippery.

Swans coach Andrew Riordan said it was always pleasing to get a win in round one.

“United really brought their game early and probably caught us on the hop a little bit,” Riordan said.

“It took a little bit to get it back more on our terms but we were pleased that we were able to respond after United took it to us early.”

Riordan said the Swans managed to nullify some of the United on-ballers in the midfield, with the side adapting better to the night conditions.

“It was a very slippery game, a bit of the dew came in so we just had to change the way we played a little to combat that,” he said.

“That was probably one thing that once we’d worked out how we wanted to play to the conditions a bit better we were able to be more effective getting the ball forward.”

Mitchell Bell, Nathan Rachele and BJ Squire all played well for the Swans.

“Overall I’m just really happy with the performance,” he said.

“They’re going to push some teams United, they had a real hot crack and I’m sure their coach will be pretty happy with how they played.”

United coach Paul Serra said it was an even contest for most of the night.

“The Swans play a good brand of footy and move it really quickly and we matched them in that area for probably three quarters,” Serra said.

“They got ahead in the third quarter, they were probably just more efficient than us, we had a few more guys cramping than they did and they were able to finish the game off a little bit stronger than us but it was quite a fast-moving brand of footy even though the dew came in and made it a bit slippery.”

It was a young United side that took to the field on Saturday night. Serra said it was great for the club to see the youth come through.

“We had 11 guys debut for us, of which seven were young guys coming through the 18s from the last few years,” he said.

“It was really positive for the future, we just need to get more games and more experience into them and as their bodies get stronger hopefully we can grow.

“We will get better but the challenge is how their bodies last because they’re just not used to the ins and outs of everyday GVL seniors but I’m sure they’ll do their best.”