Reigning premier Swifts Creek kept its finals dream alive with a thrilling three-point win over Swan Reach, who still remain winless after nine rounds of the Omeo and District Football Netball League.
In a low-scoring affair, less than 10 points separated the sides all day, the Demons making the early running, the Swans nipping away at their heels, keen to record that elusive first victory, leading by a solitary point at half time.
With coach Connor Harvey (two goals) leading from the front, Swifts Creek, desperate to bank the four points and stay in touch with fourth-placed Buchan, kicked the only goal in the third term, opening up a handy seven-point advantage with 25 minutes to play.
Both sides threw everything into the last quarter, the Swans spurred on by a large gathering at the annual premiership reunion, outscored the Demons by two goals to one in the hot contest.
The match could easily have been won by either side with missed opportunities in that vital last term, but when the siren sounded it was the joyous Demons who were celebrating, their finals aspirations still alive, but back-to-back premierships looking forlorn.
The win sees the fifth-placed Swifts Creek only trail the fourth-ranked Buchan by two points.
Four quarter performers for the Demons were the highly skilled Mark Cooper, Richard Crabtree, veteran Brodie Cameron, skipper Beau Hack, Andrew Sandy and James Turner.
The luckless Swans, who look set to breakthrough in the coming weeks, got good service from Boris Bryant, Danaren Morgan-Ritchie, Michael Hayes, veteran ruckman Michael Stephenson, Peter Ritchie and Che Davies.
The unbeaten Omeo Benambra juggernaut went on its winning way, outpointing a persistent Bruthen in cold, wintery conditions at foot of Mount Hotham.
The Ranges kicked six goals to two in a first half effort which put the game out of the reach of the Bulldogs, who battled hard in the second half, eventually going down by 31 points.
Ross Ansaldi played his second game for the year and picked up his second best on ground with four classy goals. Coach Josh Piper and live wire forward Harry Warfe both contributed three goals each.
Warfe leads the competition goalkicking with 52 goals from Harvey on 37.
Jirra Moffatt and prolific best and fairest winner Harley Kenner both kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.
Ansaldi got good support from Aiden Hayward, Daniel Jones, Jordan Robertson, Sam Heffernan and Tyler Betts.
The Bulldogs were well served by defender Dylan Hack, Brodie Matthews, Brock Conn, Lachlan Horne, Rhys Kennedy and the consistent Matt Arnold.
Lindenow South made short work of Buchan on their home ground, booting seven goals to two in the opening term on the way to a commanding 75-point victory.
The Swampies have added some important goalkicking options in recent weeks, which could be vital when they match up against Omeo Benambra towards the back end of the season.
Former Paynesville crumber, Corey Pescod, kicked four goals, as did Shane Thorpe, who has now contributed four bags of three goals or more for the season.
Skipper Aaron Edwards bobbed up with three, while Mark Baylis, coach Sam Howden and ruckman Brad Pedder all kicked two.
Pedder was a welcome addition, playing only his second match for the season. The big fellow gives them an important ruck option, who can pinch hit in a key back position if needed.
Best players for Lindenow South were William O’Keefe, Russell White, Thorpe, Jacob Petrac, Jamie Donnelly and Pescod.
Former Boisdale ruckman Jarrad Neilson kicked a couple of goals for the Cavemen, whose best players included Luke Howes, Ricky Turner, Michael Stevenson, Shaun Coleman, Jake Reynolds and Michael O’Callaghan.
Buchan went in without several key players, including co-captains, Tyson Siddle and Justin Hunt.
IMAGE: Swifts Creek veteran Brodie Cameron is gang tackled by a bevy of Swans last Saturday. Cameron had the last laugh, his Demons banking another vital four points to move with half a game of the top four. (PS)
