Swans pre-season comp drought continues - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Swans pre-season comp drought continues

By Peter Veness 22/02/2009 08:40:23 PM Comments (0)

Sydney remain winless in eight years of the AFL's pre-season competition after copping a 65-point flogging at the hands of Port Adelaide in Canberra.

The Power were rarely challenged in the NAB Cup match after taking the lead via a Chad Cornes goal late in the first quarter and ran away to win 4.16.11 (143) to 1.10.9 (78).

But for Port the focus in the coming week won't be on their big win or even their next NAB Cup opponents, Geelong.

Late in the opening quarter Daniel Motlop was reported for charging Swans youngster Jesse White.

Motlop jumped into the air, leading with his elbow and collected White as he was getting rid of the ball.

He was immediately reported by umpire Matthew Nicholls and will likely be in serious trouble with a bump that was much more clear cut than last week's controversy involving Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell.

Swans coach Paul Roos said he had not seen the hit.

"I will need to have a look at the video," Roos said.

Port coach Mark Williams stopped short of controversy in his press conference, preferring to "just leave it alone".

He joked the club would "ring up the Collingwood people and get them to talk for us".

Despite the controversy, Williams had plenty to be positive about.

"We were thrilled to win," he said.

"Most of each quarter we did well."

Rookie Wade Thompson showcased his speed and accuracy, kicking three goals only to have his coach warn him one good game doesn't make a good player.

Williams also rejected suggestions the Swans don't take the pre-season seriously.

"If you look at how many collisions there were ... you would say that they were trying," he said.

In a disappointing showing, the Swans never looked winners despite Roos picking a strong side for the opening NAB Cup round.

With the flogging came a concussion to Ryan Brabazon, who was taken off on a stretcher.

Roos took advantage of the more lenient substitution laws, ringing plenty of changes for a side that appeared slow through the midfield and was thoroughly beaten at the contest.

Despite winning so convincingly, Port are unlikely to take much away from the game.

New skipper Domenic Cassisi was a standout in a strong team effort that included four super goals and three goals to ageing former captain Warren Tredrea.

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