Omeo Benambra has gone through the first round of the Omeo and District Football Netball League unbeaten and is the clear premiership favourite, outclassing second ranked Lindenow South on Saturday.
Billed as the match up of the season, the game played at the Omeo Recreation Reserve certainly didn’t live up to expectations, the miserly Alpine Ranges restricting the Swampies just a solitary goal.
Both sides went in with key players unavailable, Omeo bringing in former AFL star Ryan Harwood to replace James Gibbs, who starred last week but unfortunately wasn’t available this week.
Best on ground Campbell Ahsam dominated the ruck, giving Harwood, Cody Graske and Todd Redenbach first use of the football, which ensured a plentiful supply for Ranges forwards led by the competition’s leading goalkicker, Harry Warfe, who cashed in with another four taking his season’s total to 33.
Aiden Hayward was pivotal and important as a high half forward, his work rate and ability to get to contests a feature of his game.
Brent Hartnell, Chris Wheeler and Daniel Jones controlled play across half back, with Swampies coach Neil Rawlings left to ponder and go back to the drawing board, hopeful of manufacturing a different result in five weeks time at home.
Mitchell Neal, Nathan Pollard, Noel Jansz, William O’Keefe, Aaron Edwards and Russell White all tried hard for the Swampies.
Buchan moved into the top four with a thrilling three-point victory over reigning premier Swifts Creek at the Buchan Recreation Reserve.
The Cavemen booted 10 of their 14 majors for the match in an inspired third quarter performance, turning a 23-point half time deficit into a 32-point advantage with 25 minutes to play.
Skipper Tyson Siddle led from the front booting four goals, as did former star, Josh Neille, who always brings the best out of his teammates when he pulls on the Buchan jumper.
The Heyfield premiership player’s appearances in the Caveman outfit have been spasmodic in recent seasons, but on Saturday he combined well with Hayden Edwards, Henry Hodge, James Woodgate, Aidan Allisey and Cohen Manning to inspire a comeback that Swift’s Creek didn’t see coming.
Determined to hold onto fourth spot, the more experienced Demons threw everything at the Cavemen, booting five unanswered goals, with coach, Conor Harvey (six) and the freakish Jamie Barton (five), both lighting up the forward 50.
But the siren beat last year’s champs, the home side scoring a well-deserved and morale-boosting victory, after struggling for form after eclipsing Swan Reach in round one.
Andrew Sandy continued his great start to the season for the Demons, joined in the best by Brodie Cameron, Beau Hack, Ben Commins, Gabriel Last and stoic defender, Thomas King.
Bruthen consolidated its hold on third spot with an easy 51-point victory over a determined Swan Reach.
The Swans were again competitive for a half before the Bulldogs kicked six goals to one in the second half to put the game beyond doubt in a performance that certainly wasn’t their best for the year but banked another valuable four points.
Perennial league best and fairest Harley Kenner was again prolific booting five goals, joined in the best by Dylan Hack, Jesse Gillham, the consistent Jan Cabaybay and recent new recruits, former Lakes defender Zach Svetlik and Paynesville’s Caleb Marsh.
Adrian Morgan continues to defy age,
with another solid game for the Swans, well supported by Jake Whelan, Chris Hood, Brayden Baade, veteran follower Michael Stephenson and Justin Smith.
NETBALL
Second placed Omeo Benambra and third placed Lindenow South played a dramatic draw highlighting the weekend’s round of matches.
In an epic match the sides traded goals, the scores locked on 34 apiece.
Although both sides appear to be a fair way of top side, Swan Reach, there looks likely to be some enthralling battles between the two in the back half of the season.
Swan Reach eclipsed an improving Bruthen by 28 goals, while Buchan broke through for its first win of the season, 18-goal winners over a struggling Swifts Creek.
THIS WEEK
Another interesting round of matches is highlighted by the Bruthen and Lindenow South clash at Bruthen.
The Swampies will need to regroup quickly because the Bulldogs are on the charge and playing better team-orientated football every week.
Omeo Benambra should overcome an inconsistent Swifts Creek at the Benambra Recreation Reserve, while Swan Reach is at home, looking for its first win of the season against Buchan who will go in high on confidence after breaking through for their first win.
