The Sydney Swans unveiled some bright young prospects in its NAB Cup opener on Saturday, but the undermanned side was defeated by 27 points by a more-experience
The Sydney Swans unveiled some bright young prospects in its NAB Cup opener on Saturday, but the undermanned side was defeated by 27 points - 1.12.16 (97) to 1.9.7 (70) - by a more-experienced Western Bulldogs' line-up at Manuka Oval in Canberra.The Swans' side featured 12 players who were yet to play an AFL game, but it was far from doom and gloom for last year's grand finalists who looked to have found two more good players in 19-year-old Jesse White, who kicked three goals and at 196cm and 98kg already has a mature body, and fellow teenager Jonathan Simpkin, who won plenty of the ball in midfield.On a day when all eyes were on the Bulldogs' boom recruit Jason Akermanis, it was youngsters Malcolm Lynch and Jarrod Harbrow who stole the show although there was also plenty for the Swans to take out of the match with some of their youngsters also impressing.While Akermanis showed flashes of brilliance on his debut, he was well held in the second half by Swans' rookie Kieren Jack, the son of former rugby league great Garry, who showed great composure in shutting down the former Lion.Akermanis actually had the opening touch of the game and almost goaled after six minutes, but it wasn't long before the Bulldogs assumed control with former Eagle Andrew McDougall snapping a great early goal as he made a promising debut for the Bulldogs.But it was young aboriginal forward Lynch, who already looks a bargain having been taken at pick 66 in last year's NAB AFL National Draft, who was the star of the show with three goals.Rookie Harbrow, who moved from Cairns to Victoria last year to give himself a better chance of being drafted, also showed great skill and composure on his debut and kicked a goal as well as setting up a vital goal for Lynch on the three-quarter-time siren.Both sides were missing a host of big name players but the Dogs had more of their senior players on display and the poise of players such as skipper Brad Johnson, Matthew Robbins, Ryan Griffen and Daniel Cross proved crucial as the Swans lacked experienced bodies.The only downside for the Swans was a knee injury to Nick Malceski, while Bulldog youngster Farren Ray was reported in the dying minutes under the AFL's new crackdown on front-on bumps.WESTERN BULLDOGS: 1.3.6, 1.4.13, 1.7.15, 1.12.16 (97)SYDNEY: 0.2.0, 0.3.3, 0.6.3, 1.9.7 (70)NINE POINT GOALS: Bulldogs: HarrisSydney: KirkSIX POINT GOALS: Bulldogs: Lynch 3, Johnson 2, Robbins 2, McDougall, Baird, Griffen, Harbrow, HigginsSydney: White 3, Richards 2, Kirk, Rowe, Davis, CurrieBEST: Bulldogs: Lynch, Cross, McDougall, Griffen, Harbrow, Gilbee, MinsonSydney: Richards, White, O'Keefe, Kirk, Simpkin, JackINJURIES: Bulldogs: Wight (corked thigh)Sydney: Malceski (knee)REPORTS: Ray (Bulldogs) for rough conduct on Bevan (Sydney) in the final quarterCROWD: 5,567 at Manuka Oval, Canberra
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