SYDNEY has thumped a youthful Gold Coast outfit by 42 points in an AFL pre-season game, with the Suns suffering some key injury issues.
The Swans kicked seven straight goals either side of half-time at Oakes Oval in Lismore on Sunday on their way to a 19.9 (123) to 11.15 (81) win.
The Suns’ cause wasn’t helped by injuries during the game to last year’s No.3 draft pick Izak Rankine and Aaron Young.
Exciting teenager Rankine, who goaled with a drop punt from almost 60 metres in the first quarter, appeared to damage a hamstring, and Young an ankle.
Sydney star Isaac Heeney also spent some time off with an ankle issue.
The Swans made two late changes to their team with Jake Lloyd ruled out through illness and ruckman Callum Sinclair withdrawn. Sinclair’s absence meant Aliir Aliir did most of the Swans’ ruck work.
While the Suns dominated the hitouts via Peter Wright and Jarrod Witts, Sydney won the clearances, with Aliir impressing around the ground.
Luke Parker led Sydney’s goalkicking with three and tallied 25 touches, while Tom Papley and former North Melbourne player Ryan Clarke also impressed.
Brayden Florini was lively for Gold Coast while Wright amassed 17 touches, 18 hitouts and kicked two goals and two behinds.
Sydney starts its season against Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on February 23, while the Suns play St Kilda at the same venue the next day.
© AAP 2019
SYDNEY 5.3 14.5 17.6 19.9 (123)
GOLD COAST 5.3 7.5 10.10 11.15 (81)
Goals: Sydney: L Parker 3 J Dawson 2 N Blakey 2 S Reid 2 W Hayward 2 A Aliir B Ronke G Hewett H Cunningham I Heeney J Kennedy J Rowbottom T Papley. Gold Coast: A Sexton 2 J Lukosius 2 P Wright 2 B Ainsworth B Fiorini C Burgess D Swallow I Rankine.
Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Simon Meredith, Nicholas Foot, Cameron Dore.
Official Crowd: 4,800 at Oakes Oval.
