The game was played at a frenetic pace and the end scoreline was lopsided but coach Paul Kelly says there's "a fair bit to gain" from the Tamworth Swans trial match against Warners Bay.
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The final margin wasn't flattering for the Swans - close to 100 points - but it didn't worry Kelly too much.
"For most of the day, they played a lot quicker than we were used to but after half-time we adjusted," Kelly said.
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How the Swans adapted their playing style against the Black Diamond Cup club was what impressed Kelly and gave him confidence heading into the 2020 AFL North West season.
"They were really well drilled and if we can learn from them [Warners Bay] it will make us a better team," Kelly said.
"We can learn from their run - how hard they run - and their rotations. When they were tired, they came straight off. It's a team thing you have to do."
A number of new faces made their club debuts for the Tamworth side on Saturday and put in solid efforts.
In total, close to 10 new players took to the field for the Swans but it was Josh Jones who was at the top of list for Kelly.
The Swans mentor said he was "probably best on" for the Swans, as he provided plenty of run through the middle.
Connor Betts also had strong game, Kelly said, on the wing and in the midfield.
"Bettsy played a good game. Everything we've told him to to do, he's worked hard to do that," Kelly said.
Kelly said his side would "stick to what we've been doing" throughout the pre-season which has had a focus on structure.
He also said he'd continue to try and get rid of some of the team's bad habits.
"We still get sucked in to the footy," he said.
"We've been trying to work on this for years. Everyone is just so keen to go for the ball.
"We need one person to lay a tackle but instead we'd have three people put a tackle on. We need to work on things like that."