Roos comfortable in capital

Kangaroos   68 defeated Sydney   37

The Kangaroos have started their pre-season campaign in style as they defeated reigning premiers Sydney by 29 points at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Both sides boasted a bag of youngsters determined to prove to Laidley and Roos why they deserve senior action in season 2006.

Stifling heat in the nation's capital made conditions difficult for hard running football and the players tired at the end of each of the quarters.

The first quarter was a tight, scrappy affair riddled with errant handballs and smothered kicks. Neither side could get a foothold above the other until Daniel Harris marked uncontested in front of goal and slotted the Roos and the games' first goal.

Ben Mathews snapped a goal for the Swans minutes later before Nathan Thompson and the ever-busy Shannon Grant kicked their first competitive majors of 2006 and the Roos went into the quarter time break 12 points ahead.

Laidley had fielded more experienced heads than Roos and it began to show as the Sydney rookies struggled for composure in defence.

The second quarter proved decisive as the Kangaroos kicked three goals to one to put the job in front of Sydney.

The Roos started the second quarter in the way they finished the first: full of running. Drew Petrie pulled down a good mark and kicked his first but rookie Ryan Brabazon replied for the Swans.

Former Oakleigh Chargers big man Joshua Gibson was impressive for the Roos, showing good compsure in defence and on the rebound.

A good build up of play gave Brent LeCras space and he kicked the Kangaroos fifth. Sydney were struggling and despite the work rate of Amon Buchanan and Sean Dempster in the middle, the size of the task was beginning to overwhelm the Swans.

Nathan Thompson marked strongly 30 metres out and kicked his second before the Roos kicked their first super goal. Brent Harvey marked outside 50 but chose to handball off to Ben Schwarze whose thumping kick was the first nine pointer.

The Roos went into the half time break 36 points up and Sydney weren't looking like they were experienced enough to overhaul them.

Adam Simpson, Shannon Grant and Brady Rawlings took a breather in the third quarter as Sydney tried to muster some energy in the oppressive conditions.

Stephen Doyle got the better of Jonathan Hay in a marking contest and kicked his first before Heath Grundy's clever play allowed him space to snap another and bring the Swans to within four goals in the third term.

Dean Laidley sensed the time was right to reintroduce the Roos leadership and it was Brent Harvey who scooted in to kick a great goal and restore the 29 point lead. A Harvey kick on the three-quarter-time siren thudded into the post.

In a game where goals were as rare as hen's teeth, the final quarter refused to be more exciting than the previous three.

Ryan O'Keefe, busy for the Swans with 16 touches, sprayed his shot wide before Drew Petrie's solid mark 40 metres out was followed by a poor kick which drifted through for a behind.

Young Jarred Moore reduced the margin to 20 points for the Swans, but after Adam Prior missed from metres out, Shannon Grant stole in to ice the cake for the Roos and seal a very comfortable 31 point win.

The Roos will now play Carlton or Geelong in the next round.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!