Swifts Creek’s mid-season resurgence continued last Saturday when it knocked off arch rival Omeo Benambra in round 11 of the Omeo District Football Netball League at the Omeo Recreation Reserve.
After winning just one match in the opening five rounds of the season, the Demons who played
the Alpine Ranges in last year’s grand final, looked to be just making up the numbers in 2025.
But the turnaround led by senior players Brodie Cameron, Beau Hack, Andrew Sandy and coach Conor Harvey has seen them victorious in five of their past six matches, their only glitch when they found the Bulldogs too good in round seven at the Bruthen Recreation Reserve.
They now find themselves sitting in fourth position with a double chance spot well within their reach if they can maintain the momentum.
After a hard fought opening term where accurate kicking from the home side saw them leaders at the first change by three points, the Demons midfield got on top, led by Cameron and skipper Hack.
They sharked everything that came their way from Sandy, who is a man mountain in the ruck and
rarely beaten.
Swifts Creek kicked six goals to two in the second term, setting up the win as they led by 23 points at half time.
The second half was an arm wrestle as both outfits’ backlines got on top, the Demons kicking four goals to two, running out impressive 32-point winners.
Sunia Taufalele, Alistair Commins and Harvey all kicked two goals for the Creek, which was delighted to have 10 individual goalkickers, decreasing the re
liance on Harvey to kick a winning score.
Taufalele has played all 11 matches this season, but Saturday was the first time he has hit the scoreboard.
Daniel Jones and Aiden Hayward were the only multiple goalkickers for the Ranges with their shining light in front of the sticks this season Cody Graske kept to a solitary major by the Crellin brothers, Rob and Tom.
Cameron was a standout for Swifts Creek, winning the Naidoc Round medal for his efforts, ably supported by Hack, the Crellin brothers, Jay Robbie and the unstoppable Sandy.
The Ranges got solid contributions from Campbell Ahsam, Sam Heffernan, Cameron Gardiner, Hudson Collins, Darcy Fenning-Chester and Jamie Symons.
The loss has seen Omeo Benambra drop to third on the table, but still well in the hunt for a double chance ticket, which are currently held by Swan Reach and Bruthen.
To cap off a disappointing afternoon for the home side, rugged ball winner and run-with player Brady Pendergast was booked for umpire abuse and is set for a few weeks on the sideline.
After this week’s competition break, Swifts Creek will host Bruthen, while Omeo Benambra will trek to Buchan.
