Lindenow South has bounced back with a second place consolidating victory over Bruthen in round six of the Omeo District Football Netball (ODFNL).
After a trouncing at the hands of the unbeaten Omeo Benambra last week, and an emotional week at Swampland with popular coach, Neal Rawlings, having to resign for medical reasons, the Swampies kicked six unanswered first term goals to put the game out of reach of the Bulldogs early in the match.
Sam Howden took the coaching reins of the Swampies and the result was never in doubt, as Rawlings looked on proudly.
Bruthen matched Lindenow South for the final three quarters, but struggled to make an indent into the lead, eventually succumbing by 31 points.
It was a disappointing result for the Bulldogs who were keen to show that they can match it with the top two sides, but a slow start put them behind the eight ball from the start, reverted to playing catch up.
Shane Thorpe kicked three goals for Lindenow South, with the best players including veteran defender Daniel Howe, William O’Keefe, Griffin Sherritt, the well decorated Nathan Pollard and Zachary O’Keefe, back from Gippsland Power and Maffra duties.
Jira Moffatt (four goals) and Jan Cabaybay (three) led the scoring for the Bulldogs who were well served by Brodie Matthews, Moffatt, Matt Arnold, Nat Griffiths, swingman Dylan Hack and Andrew Young.
A seven goal blitz in the third quarter was enough to get Buchan
home against a gallant Swan Reach at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve.
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From page 40
Very little separated the two sides for most of the afternoon, the Cavemen turning a 10-point half time deficit into an eight point advantage at three quarter time, and with Hayden Edwards leading the way Buchan held on to win by two goals in close and enthralling last quarter.
Co-captains, Justin Hunt (five) and Tyson Siddle (three) led the way up forward, with another valuable contribution from former Boisdale Briagolong player, Cohen Manning (three) significant.
The Cavemen continued their development as a team, with youngsters James Lewendon, Harrison Cummings and Jim Davidson to the fore in the final term when the match was in the balance.
A win is near for the Swans, competitive in most matches, after plenty of debate prior to the season if they would even get a side, coach Wilfred Carter has them playing a good brand of attacking football.
Keith Ritchie kicked three goals for the Swans, with the better players being Danaren Morgan-Ritchie, Michael Hayes, Che Davies, Dylan Whelan, Jake Whelan and William Addison.
Omeo Benambra went on its winning way, smashing Swifts Creek by 106 points in the 2023 ODFNL grand final replay at the Benambra Recreation Reserve.
The Ranges put the match out of reach of the Demons, with six unanswered first quarter goals, and a 11 goal to one first half.
Harry Warfe (eight) and coach, Josh Piper (five) were unstoppable up forward feasting on the good work of Jordan Robertson, former coach Cody Graske, Aiden Hayward, Daniel Jones and Todd Redenbach, who has been a standout in most games this season.
Tyler Betts, Brent Hartnell and Tom Cook controlled the game from half back and were virtually impassable.
Warfe, the teenage goal kicking sensation, took his seasons total to 41 from just six games, and remains on target to kick 100 goals in the home and away season.
Swifts Creek coach, Conor Harvey was lively up forward in the second half for the Demons, who got good service from Bairnsdale senior player, Damon O’Connor, ruckman Robert Crellin, Brodie Cameron, skipper Beau Hack, Patrick Cusack and Jordon Neville.
Jordy Cameron played his first game for the Demons since 2019, kicking a goal in a welcome return.
NETBALL
Swan Reach went on its winning way, running out easy 27 goal victors over an improving Buchan.
Second-placed Omeo Benambra had no trouble disposing of the winless Demons, establishing an advantage early and increasing it to 29 goals by games end.
In the match of the round, Lindenow South asserted its authority in the second half, consolidating its hold on third place on the table, with a 17 goal victory over fourth-placed Bruthen.
THIS WEEK
There’s another big round of matches coming up, with the top three doing battle with the bottom three.
Buchan will host the unbeaten Alpine Ranges, the young Cavemen will go in full of confidence after scoring its third win for the season but Omeo is playing at a different level and should go on its winning way.
Swifts Creek is at home to Bruthen, who will be keen to bounce back after losing to the Swampies.
The Demons continue to improve its list as the season progresses, but will need to find a few more players to trouble the Bulldogs who will be smartening after the dropping a game it was confident of winning.
