Lindenow South and reigning premier Swifts Creek will do battle in the 2024 Omeo and District Football Netball League preliminary final at Bruthen this Saturday.
The winner awaits the opportunity to go head-to-head with boom side Omeo Benambra for High Country football’s holy grail the following week at Swan Reach.
A close game is expected this weekend with only two points separating the sides the last time they met in round 13. There is an argument the Demons will post a stronger side for the rematch this weekend while the Swampies are hurting after being soundly beaten by the Ranges in last week’s semi.
Swifts Creek has gathered momentum in recent weeks, accumulating three impressive wins since that loss against moderate opposition in Buchan, Swan Reach and Bruthen.
In the meantime the Swampies easily accounted for wooden spoon side Buchan before being pummelled by the Omeo Benambra juggernaut on two occasions.
The Demons will be fresh after a week off, while the Swampies looked sore and sorry after last week’s game, with a quiet week required on the track if they are to come up and give a good account of themselves.
Both sides have plenty of good players with Beau Hack, Brodie Cameron, Ben Commins, Andrew Sandy and coach Connor Harvey all likely to play a significant role for the Demons if they are to progress for a chance at back-to-back glory.
A lot of heavy lifting will again fall on the shoulders of Swampies star, Nathan Pollard, who will need plenty of support from the likes of Griffin Sherritt, Will O’Keefe and Russell White to get the ball forward to Jordan Hack and Corey Pescod who are both more than capable of kicking bags of goals.
Sandy has been a revelation in the ruck this season for the Demons, and with Cameron and Commins back in the fold in recent weeks, it frees Harvey up to go forward where he is most damaging, combining with players such as Jamie Barton and Dan O’Brien.
Sandy’s job could be made easier if Lindenow South ruckman Brad Pedder doesn’t come up. He looked to be carrying lower leg injuries late in the game last Saturday.
Expect both sides to throw themselves at each and every contest as they have nothing to lose in the hunt for a grand final berth.
