SWANS defender Lewis Johnston drew praise for his efforts in the Swans reserves 109-point victory over Belconnen at the SCG on Saturday evening.

With his team mates further afield enjoying the bulk of possession and scoring opportunities, Johnston marshalled the defensive end, effecting 14 spoils for the game and making it difficult for the opposition forwards to score.

“His defensive work was really good which is what we’ve been pushing with him,” reserves coach Henry Playfair told SwansTV.

“He’s really good when he’s got the footy in hand, but we thought for our team, as a defender he is going to have to learn how to defend first.

“His last three weeks have been slowly improving so it was pleasing on the weekend, again, that he took a step forward.”

After slow opening quarters the previous three weeks, Playfair was delighted with the start his side made on Saturday, keeping Belconnen scoreless until the 10 minute mark of the second quarter by which stage the Swans had opened up a six goal lead.

“It (the start) was a big focus going into the game and the boys certainly responded and played well in the first quarter,” he said.

Jarred Moore and Luke Parker were dominant in the Swans midfield collecting 60 possessions and kicking five goals between them, while they were assisted by the ruck work of Mark Seaby who gave them first use of possession for the majority of the game.

“Seabs was terrific,” Playfair said about his ruckman.

“He was probably a bit below par last weekend, even by his own admissions, so for him to bounce back and be pretty dominant in the ruck all day…having 24 possessions around the game, we were pretty happy.”

Playfair also praised fellow tall Mike Pyke, highlighting that his development in the game stretches far beyond his contribution on the scoreboard.

“Pykey had a pretty reasonable all round game, he probably played 65 per cent of his time forward and the rest of the time in the ruck, and managed to kick four goals,” he said.

“His body work and marking has improved, pretty much all aspects of his game have improved, and he’s just starting to get a feel for the subtleties of the game.”

The Swans reserves will also enjoy a bye this weekend before taking on Tuggeranong next Friday night as a curtain-raiser to the seniors’ massive game against Carlton.

“Again we will be looking to keep improving our players individually and as a team getting better,” Playfair said about the Tuggeranong game.