Ryan O’Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh and Jude Bolton had all publicly declared their intent to lift in the lead-up to Sunday’s game against Essendon and they delivered in spades.
Bolton was particularly good at a wet SCG, racking up 36 possessions, 11 clearances and 12 tackles as the Swans scored an eight-point win against the Bombers.
“That was the big difference for us today. If you looked at our midfield group and certainly our senior players in the midfield, Jude was fantastic, McVeigh was fantastic and Ryan O’Keefe played really, really well,” he said.
“Brett Kirk on Watson was a really good battle so definitely our leaders really stood up today, which makes a huge difference to your team, no doubt.”
They were fed by Shane Mumford who produced a stellar game to comfortably beat both David Hille and Paddy Ryder over the four quarters.
The former Geelong rookie has thrived since shouldering the No.1 ruck mantle after Mark Seaby’s ankle injury and Roos said Mumford was sorely missed during his two-week suspension.
“He’s been a phenomenal recruit for us [with] what he does in the ruck and on the ground. He’s a very active ruckman, he gets after the ball and he always has an impact.
“Some players you have to wind up a bit and some players you just let go out and play. You don’t have to speak much to Mummy because it’s just him every single week… it’s just automatic. Once he gets on the ground, he’s just a competitor.”
While the Swans’ midfield guns stood up in the nine-point win, it was young forwards Jesse White and Gary Rohan with three goals apiece who stood up through the torrid middle quarters.
While Lewis Jetta failed to join Rohan and White on the scoreboard, he caught the eye in the second half with clean hands and blistering pace as the SCG was inundated with rain.
The first-year recruit is yet to kick a goal in his 11 games for the Swans but Roos said the West Australian was living up to expectations.
“I’m sure Lewis would love to kick one. I think he’s 0-13 at the moment. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he gets one through but they seem to be hitting the post,” he said.
“He’s going to be a super talent; he’s only had one pre-season. In those conditions, he tends to stand out because he’s so clean with his ball handling. It’s just a matter of one going through and then he’ll be fine after that.”
Meanwhile, Roos said Ben McGlynn (quad) and Jarred Moore (ankle) resumed in the reserves on Sunday, while Tadhg Kennelly (knee) was an outside chance of returning against Port Adelaide in round 12.
