FLEET-footed youngsters Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta have helped the Sydney Swans to a 17-point victory over North Melbourne in their NAB Cup clash at Bruce Purser Reserve in Sydney's west.
The Swans duo, who were both selected in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, showed promising signs for the season ahead as the home side eased to a 2.9.10 (82) to 0.9.11 (65) triumph.
Jetta found plenty of the ball through the midfield and kicked a supergoal in the third term, while Rohan produced the highlight of the game and generally impressed in the forward line after entering the fray in the second quarter.
Mainstays Jude Bolton, Josh Kennedy and Nick Smith played their parts for the Swans and Craig Bird kicked three goals, with fringe players Mark Seaby and Mitch Morton also having their moments.
Hamish McIntosh stood out in the ruck for the Kangaroos and the evergreen Brent Harvey kicked three goals, while skipper Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell and Lachie Hansen all contributed for the visitors.
Traditionally slow starters, with two wins from their three games so far, the Swans remain alive in the NAB Cup and face Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Coach John Longmire is enjoying some winning form, but says reaching the final of the pre-season competition is far from a priority.
"We're trying to be competitive," he said.
"But we want to make sure we monitor their work-load and our priority first and foremost is the season."
Rohan didn't enter the fray until midway through the second term, a substitute for Luke Parker, but it didn't take the redhead long to make an impression.
His first involvement was a neat roving effort and snapped shot on goal that went out on the full, but he quickly made up for that.
With the ball in dispute and rolling into the forward line, Rohan gave a host of Roos defenders more than 20m head start, but chased them down effortlessly before kicking the ball off the ground and through for a goal.
It was Rohan's first appearance in the pre-season, while Jetta is showing some encouraging improvement, according to Longmire.
"[Rohan] just needs another couple of weeks of quality game time now and that's what we're looking forward to," he said.
"He ran forward and kicked that goal and showed that genuine speed that he's got, he just needs to gradually increase his tempo the next few weeks.
"Jetta did some really good things on the wing and has improved his defensive aspect. His tackle and chase has definitely improved, so hopefully that keeps going as well."
Rohan's moment of magic tied up the scores and a late Andrejs Everitt goal then put the Swans five points up at half-time.
An Aaron Edwards goal shortly after the main break gave the Roos a one-point lead, but Jetta's supergoal from around 70m out and two Bird majors allowed the Swans to kick clear.
The Roos are now out of the running in the competition and can concentrate on an improved performance against the Western Bulldogs next week.
SYDNEY SWANS 0.2.5 0.4.7 1.6.8 2.9.10 (82)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.0.3 0.3.8 0.4.10 0.9.11 (65)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Jetta (supergoal), Jack (supergoal), Bird 3, Morton, Seaby, Rohan, Everitt, Cunningham, Malceski
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, Thomas 2, Campbell, Petrie, Edwards, Black,
BEST
Sydney Swans: Bolton, Kennedy, Smith, Jack, Seaby, Bird
North Melbourne: McIntosh, Swallow, Hansen, Harvey, Ziebell, Atley
INJURIES
Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Ryan, Stephens, Gleeson
Official crowd: 2,024 at Bruce Purser Reserve
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
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