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For someone unwanted at Adelaide last season, Martin Mattner has certainly turned his AFL career around.
The 25-year-old backman completed his revival with a best-on-ground performance in Sydney’s solid 17.12 (114) to 11.8 (74) win over bottom-placed Melbourne at Manuka Oval in Canberra today.
The former Crow, who has quickly become an integral part of Sydney’s backline, continually repelled the ball out of Melbourne’s forward line today and even managed to run forward and kick two telling goals.
The Swans swapped the No.28 pick at last year’s national draft for the out-of-favour Mattner and the left-footer has continued Sydney’s happy knack of recycling players.
Under coach Paul Roos, Sydney have turned bit part players such as Craig Bolton, Darren Jolly and Ted Richards into valuable team members.
“I thought Marty really set the scene for consistency, he was one of the few who worked hard all day and tackled really hard and kicked a couple of goals, he was a really significant player,” said Roos.
“Really fortunate (to have him).
“You do a lot of work on getting players to the club and also from your draft and those types of things.
“He has probably been everything and more then we could have hoped for this year.”
Sydney’s sixth straight win shored up their spot in the top four on 38 points and enhanced Melbourne’s (4 points) chances of a wooden spoon finish.
The Swans have a tough run home with only two of their final nine matches against teams outside the top eight and Roos admitted his team welcomed the break.
“We did not play super but to turn at nine-and-a-half wins and three (losses) it is more about the last 13 weeks and not so much today, so it was good to get away with a win and then have a break,” he said.
In his second match back from suspension, Swans spearhead Barry Hall looked to be hitting his straps, albeit with his radar out of whack in a 5.5 return.
Midfield general Brett Kirk continued to lead his side in the clinches as the club celebrated Jude Bolton’s 200th match with a win.
After being blown away in the opening quarter, the Demons proved a handful.
They closed the deficit to 11 points in the third term before the Swans booted the next four goals for an ultimately comfortable victory.
Matthew Bates (four goals) led the way in attack while Lynden Dunn kept two-time Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes quiet.
Aaron Davey sparked Melbourne’s third quarter charge as they kicked five of the first six goals of the term before being overpowered.
Melbourne coach Dean Bailey lamented that his side was unable to play with the same spirit for the entire match.
“It is nice to see but you want to see it from the start and that is where we needed to be,” he said.
The Demons host Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday.
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