NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 5 Review

Sydney Swans 13.14 (92) def. Fremantle 11.9 (75)
 
The Swans looked more like the Swans of 2012-2013 on the way to a 17-point win over Fremantle on Saturday.
 
Sydney out-tackled Fremantle 100-66 while also winning the contested possession count, with Ben McGlynn (12 tackles), Josh Kennedy (21 contested possessions) and Dan Hannebery (10 and 15) spearheading the charge.
 
But to prove the performance was no time warp, a new face was doing damage up forward – Lance Franklin kicked four goals and generated seven inside 50s.
 
The Dockers went into quarter time up by a point, but that slender lead soon evaporated. The Swans held the visitors goalless in the second term to go into half time 21 points in front.
 
Freo rallied in the third and fourth quarters, but Sydney found a way to hold them off and run out the game.
 
Kennedy (38 disposals) along with Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Rhyce Shaw (all 29) led the ball winners for the Swans.
 
Aaron Sandilands was a force for the Dockers with 48 of the team’s 65 hitouts (the Swans had just 19), while Nat Fyfe and David Mundy both topped 30 touches.
 
Matthew Pavlich had four goals.
 
The win has breathed life into the Sydney season after a difficult start and now the Swans will try to build on that momentum next week against Melbourne.
 
Adelaide Crows 21.11 (137) def. GWS GIANTS 10.12 (72)
 
The GWS GIANTS returned home from Adelaide disappointed after a 65-point loss to the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
 
Crow Patrick Dangerfield returned to form with a monstrous performance that included five goals and 33 disposals.
 
In contrast, one of the GIANTS’ midfield guns, Callan Ward, had to be subbed out at half time.
 
There was just 10 points in it at quarter time, but the Crows put on a devastating second quarter and the GIANTS struggled to wind back the margin thereafter.
 
The bright spots for the GIANTS included winning the tackle count (49-41) and the hitouts (34-27) despite Shane Mumford’s absence.
 
Stephen Coniglio had 29 disposals and eight tackles, Toby Greene had 28 disposals a goal, and Jed Lamb had two goals with eight marks.
 
The GIANTS will face the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium next week.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) was a star for St Kilda in their upset win over Essendon. He had 32 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency plus six clearances.
 
Adam Schneider (Osborne) was also prominent with 22 disposals and two goals. Josh Bruce (Eastlake) had 15 disposals and six marks.
 
Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) had 12 tackles and took 10 marks in the Swans’ win. Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 29 touches and a goal. Kieren Jack had 20 disposals and nine tackles.
 
Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 22 disposals and eight one-percenters. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 13 touches and seven marks. Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 19 touches.
 
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (North Shore) and Brandon Jack (Pennant Hills) each kicked a goal.
 
Daniel Cross (Albury) had 21 disposals and five tackles for Melbourne in their loss to Gold Coast. Dean Terlich (Osborne) had 13 touches and six marks.
 
Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) was one of Geelong’s best in the win over Hawthorn, with 14 hitouts, five inside 50s and a goal.
 
For the Hawks, Luke Breust (Temora) kicked three goals. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) generated five inside 50s and kicked a goal. Isaac Smith (Temora) had 19 touches and a goal.
 
Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) had 19 touches, while Will Langford (East Sydney) had three clearances in a defensive midfield role.
 
Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) had 13 touches and laid six tackles for Richmond in their win over the Brisbane Lions.
 
Zac Williams (Narrandera) had 15 disposals and four rebound 50s for GWS.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) had seven one-percenters for Carlton in their win over the Western Bulldogs.  Tom Young (Wollondilly) had nine touches for the Dogs.
 
NEAFL Results (Round 4)
 
Sydney Swans 19.17 (131) def. Gold Coast Suns 4.7 (31)
Redland 15.11 (101) def. Southport 12.13 (85)
Ashley 12.8 (80) der. by Brisbane Lions 15.13 (103)
Queanbeyan 20.17 (137) def. Belconnen 16.9 (105)
Sydney University 11.10 (76) def. by Eastlake 12.13 (85)
NT Thunder 22.14 (146) def. Hills Eagles 3.6 (24)
Ainslie, UWS GIANTS – bye