Reigning premier, Omeo Benambra unveiled their 2024 pennant, before dissecting Swifts Creek in the local derby and grand final replay last Saturday at the Omeo Recreation Reserve by 78 points.
There was no sign of the big names from the Alpine Ranges premiership, like Piper, Warfe, Wheeler, Harwood, Gibbs, Ansaldi, Redenbach and Ahsam but the winning margin was still 76 points, as the men from the top of the mountain let the competition know that they aren’t going to relinquish their title without a fight.
Now coached by Rohan Tomkins and Boo Wheeler, the Ranges set the win up with a 15-goal to five onslaught in the first three quarters before cruising home with the four points.
Former coach, Cody Graske continues to amaze despite having only one good knee, booting seven goals, while the hard running Aidan Hayward finished with three.
Demons coach, Connor Harvey was his side’s only multiple goal kicker, finishing with two.
Among the best for Omeo Benambra were Brent Hartnell, James Cottrell, Brandon Betts, Graske, Hudson Collins and Travis Balmer, who returned to the field after missing 2024 with a nasty hip injury.
Playmakers, Beau Hack and Brodie Cameron, Jay Robbie, James Turner, Robert Crellin and Sunia Taufalele all tried hard for Swifts Creek, who will be hoping that they improve as the season progresses, like they did last season, recovering from a disastrous start to make it through to the grand final.
After the Easter competition bye, Omeo Benambra with make the trip to Buchan to take on the Cavemen, while Swifts Creek will face another tough assignment, hosting Bruthen.
