Omeo Benambra and Lindenow South remain the only unbeaten sides after two rounds of the Omeo District Football Netball League.
The Alpine Ranges radar was off in the first half, but they still led a developing Buchan by 33 points at half time before the afterburners kicked in during the second half, kicking 14 goals to four, including nine in the final term.
Prodigious Lakes Entrance talent, Harry Warfe, added 10 goals to his season total, taking him to 16 after just two matches.
With Josh Piper and marque signing, James Gibbs, still yet to suit up and Campbell Ahsam doing an outstanding job in the ruck in the absence of Jai Hayward, who isn’t suiting up in 2024, the Ranges are already looming as the side to beat.
Former coach, Cody Graske, creative left footer, Jordan Robertson, Aiden Hayward, Joshua Jeff and Jerome Domegracia were all among the best, with Omeo still a long way from finalising its best 20.
The Cavemen got good service from Michael Stevenson, Luke Howes, Jake Reynolds, Darren Allisey, and skippers Justin Hunt and Tyson Siddle.
Last year’s premiers in the junior competition, Buchan, have some good kids in their program and they will continue to improve with senior experience.
Swan Reach showed it won’t be easy to beat, giving Lindenow South a scare before the Swampies found their mojo in the second half.
With the Swans numbers continuing to build after a slow start to the season, they led at half time at half time by 16 points, before South piled on 17 goals to three in the second half to eventually run out 71-point victors in an entertaining afternoons football at Swan Reach.
New addition in 2024, Jordan Hack and Nathan Fehst, both helped themselves to six goals for the Swampies, with the hard running Will O’Keefe and elusive Shane Thorpe both steering through three majors.
Max Solomon was back to his best for the Swans, steering through seven goals, which was another positive for the Swans, who after plenty of hiccups, appear to be heading in the right direction.
Among the best for the Swampies were O’Keefe, Griffin Sherritt, Thorpe, Hack, Fehst, and game breaker Nathan Pollard, while for the Swans it was Tyson Harrison, veteran ruckman Michael Stephenson, Will Addison, Reece Cunningham and the classy Che Davies.
A much improved Bruthen, who continue to increase list numbers, broke through for its first win of the season at the expense of reigning Swifts creek, who are hurting after the departure of several big names to North Gippsland Football Netball League Club, Cowwarr.
After an even first quarter, the Bulldogs rammed home 18 goals to six in the final three quarters to win convincingly by an impressive 81 points.
The Bruthen players certainly showed the benefits of their initial hit out as a team in round one, with many new players.
Ethan Hubbard, skipper Harley Kenner and Jirra Moffatt all booted four goals, while swingman, Darcy Spong, slotted three.
Young half back Will Matthews was pivotal, joined in the best by the hard working Kenner, Rhys Kennedy, Spong and veteran Ray Giddings.
Swifts Creek coach, Connor Harvey, kicked six goals, with solid contributors being Ben Commins, Brodie Cameron, Beau Hack, James Turner, Riley McCole and Andrew Sandy.
THIS WEEK
There are another interesting round of matches this week, with Buchan at home to Bruthen, Swifts Creek hosting Lindenow South, while Omeo Benambra make the trek down the hill to Swan Reach.
The Cavemen will be hoping to put together four consistent quarters against the emerging Bulldogs who will be keen to bank another four points and make a statement to the rest of the competition.
Swifts Creek will be hoping to bounce back after a poor start to the season but its task certainly doesn’t look easy, up against a Swampies side which has found some extra avenues to goal and has that man, Pollard roaming around the midfield, all class and precision.
The Alpine Ranges should easily account for Swan Reach, who continue to impress all and sundry with the efforts on and off the field.
NETBALL
Omeo Benambra, Swan Reach and Bruthen remain unbeaten in the “A” grade netball after two rounds, although the Bulldogs had to share its points with Swifts Creek.
The sides were dramatically locked on 30 apiece, when the time keeper called a stop to proceedings.
Swan Reach proved too strong late for an improving Lindenow South, winning by six goals in a tough physical encounter, while Omeo Benambra were 17 goal victors over a persistent Buchan.
Big congratulations to Mick Stephenson winning the medal today 👏
