Rookie Swan Ben Ronke kicks seven majors in thrilling win over Hawks
SWANS coach John Longmire was concerned when Ben Ronke didn’t know how to get onto the MCG. A few hours later, the third-gamer had booted Sydney to a stunning win and made himself right at home on the game’s biggest stage.
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Who needs Lance Franklin when you’ve got Ben Ronke.
Yes Ben Ronke, the man playing just his third game of AFL footy produced a Buddy-like performance, booting seven goals - including the match winner - to deliver the Swans a stunning eight-point upset win over Hawthorn at the MCG.
The last Swans player to kick a bag of seven against the Hawks was none other than Tony Lockett in 1998.
He also became the first player in the game’s history to kick seven goals and make 10 tackles.
“I base my game on pressure and if the goals come that’s great,” Ronke said after the match.
Going into the game the 20-year-old had just two goals to his name in his short career but doubled that tally in the first quarter and had five just minutes into the second as he electrified his teammates and Sydney’s fans.
He started out playing a defensive role on Shaun Burgoyne but added attack to his menu in the opening minutes, making the most of every chance or half chance that came his way.
The goal scoring didn’t ease up his work rate without the ball as he produced a game high 12 pressure acts in the first half including two ball pinning tackles on Burgoyne.
It’s rare to see the Hawks veteran caught in possession twice in a season let alone being nabbed twice in a half.
He became such a headache for Alastair Clarkson he had three different opponents - Burgoyne, Ben Stratton and then the Hawks’ best defender in James Sicily.
“I was a little bit concerned before the game when he said I don’t know how to get out onto the ground. It slipped my mind that he hadn’t actually been here before. I had to guide him out to the ground so I’m glad he found his way once he got out there,” coach John Longmire revealed after the game.
“I’d be lying if I thought Ben had a game in him like that.”
“What he’s been great at is applying enormous pressure. He gives us real energy, he and Will Hayward in the front half, Tom Papley is another one who is pretty young but they charge around with real energy about them. They don’t get everything right but that’s OK they have a competitive streak to them and it rubs off on the senior players.
“Whether Lance is in or out you have to find a way.”
Not far behind Ronke’s was another youngster in Will Hayward who booted three goals for the third time in three weeks including two in a thrilling last quarter.
In only his second year in the AFL Hayward like Ronke is a dazzling presence inside the forward 50 with a great nose for the goals and a cool head.
The win stops a three match run by the Hawks who won them all by six points or less.
Jake Lloyd was also outstanding for the Swans in his 100th game with a game high 36 possessions.
The only worry for Sydney is a report on midfield star Luke Parker who hit Jarman Impey with a high bump in the dramatic last quarter.
Parker fumbled the ball in the contest and then chose to drop the shoulder and hit the Hawks utility with a hip and shoulder in a 50-50 contest.
Impey looked in bad shape after the heavy blow to the top of his head but managed to leave the ground under his own steam but didn’t come back onto the ground.