GVL Data | Swans bring the heat during first quarter in loss to Echuca

A fiery and high-pressure first term saw the Swans take the fight right up to the premiership favourites but ultimately settled for a 67-point defeat.

Thanks to GVL Data, we can get a glimpse of the manic intensity brought by Andrew Riordan’s charges in the first quarter.

The Swans were first to the ball and won the ground ball gets 34 to 28.

They also had 43 contested possessions to Echuca’s 35.

But even when they didn’t get their hands first on the ball, the Swans ambushed the Murray Bombers.

The Swans tallied up a whopping 25 tackles in the first quarter and laid 14 more for the entire match.

Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox credited the Swans’ pressure in the wash-up of the match and said “they probably brought the best pressure we’ve seen in four or five weeks”.

The Swans, who like to move the ball quick, chalked up 46 handball receives to 32.

Another telling statistic from the first quarter was Echuca’s kicking efficiency.

Echuca went at 54 per cent by foot, before lifting their efficiency to finish with an overall number of 64 per cent for the match.

Unfortunately for the Swans, they were unable to convert from their 13 inside-50 opportunities and kicked 1.7.

The Swans also posted nine clangers to four in the opening term.

Despite not going on to win the contest, it was a promising and interesting sign for not only the Swans but Echuca’s upcoming opponents.