The much-anticipated clash for fourth spot on the ladder in round 10 of the Omeo and District Football Netball League proved to be some what anti-climactic, with Swifts Creek winning emphatically by 151 points over Buchan at Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve.
This propelled the Demons into fourth place, the reigning premiers’ chances of going back-to-back still alive, though they are going to have to improve significantly to trouble quality sides, Omeo Benambra and Lindenow South.
Swifts Creek started on absolute fire in the middle, led by Andrew Sandy’s commanding presence in the ruck contests, with everything going into the Demons forward line through Ben Commins, who returned to club this year after an eight-year absence.
Swifts Creek kicked eight goals to win in the opening term to quickly put the match out of reach of the shell-shocked Cavemen, who are struggling for on-field leaders without co-captains Justin Hunt and Tyson Siddle in their current line up.
Skipper Beau Hack and coach Conor Harvey gradually worked into the game, the former even experimenting with kicking on his left foot.
Buchan couldn’t get anything going all day while the Swifts Creek running brigade was having a field day.
The Crabtree brothers, Joseph and Richard, Hack, Commins, Mark Cooper and Harvey dominated the midfield and the inside 50s were of avalanche proportions. Whenever the ball went forward for Buchan, Jarrod Nielson tried his best, however looked severely hampered by injury, while Connor McCormack battled hard all day in the ruck, taking on Sandy, Harvey and Gabriel Last.
He was supported by veterans in Shaun Coleman, Luke Howes and Mick O’Callaghan, while youngsters in Henry Hodge, Aidan Allisey and James Lewendon all tried hard.
Swifts Creek had winners all over the ground, with avenues to goal aplenty, led by Jack Reid and Joseph Crabtree who finished with four each, with Harvey, Richard Crabtree and Bruthen recruit Jay Robbie all finishing with three each.
The only downside to the dominant win was a calf injury to veteran Brodie Cameron, which could sideline him for a few weeks.
BULLDOGS BITE
After an even first quarter, Bruthen put on the after burners, blowing Swan Reach away to win by 64 points, the Bulldogs consolidating their hold on third spot, the Swans still winless.
The 16-goal to five onslaught in the final three quarters, was capitalised on by lively forward Jirra Moffat who kicked six goals to take his season’s total to 28.
Brodie Matthews was best afield for the Bulldogs, with highly decorated Harley Kenner (three goals) not far behind.
Will Matthews and Matt Arnold controlled the game across half back, with the assistance of the hard-nosed vice captains Rhys Kennedy and the reliable Jesse Gilham.
Peter Ritchie was a focal point in the forward 50 for the Swans, contributing three goals, while their best player was Albert Wright at his third club for the season, having already played at Merrivale in then Warrnambool Football League and Paynesville in the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
Other solid contributors were Michael Hayes, Dylan Whelan, Che Davies and the talented Boris Bryant.
