| EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS 2 ODFNL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 Ranges run away with premiership Omeo Benambra has rollicked to a ground-breaking premiership. The amalgamated club claimed its first Omeo District senior football premiership since an incredible inaugural year in 2007, emphatically defeating High Country rival Swifts Creek by 76 points at a packed Swan Reach Recreation Reserve last Saturday. The Alpine Ranges were almost unbackable favourites heading in, such was the quality of talent at coach Josh Piper’s disposal, and they were never truly challenged, powering away in a blistering opening five minutes of the third quarter to extend a half time lead of 21 to 48 before finishing the term leading by 10 goals. The final quarter was a clinic and while the Omeo Benambra side boasted multiple players from outside of the High Country - namely coach Josh Piper (Lakes Entrance), superstar goalkicker James Gibbs (Bairnsdale/Lakes Entrance), captain Jordan Robertson (Stratford), Wy Yung premiership player Chris Wheeler, former AFL player Ryan Harwood and former Frankston VFL footballer James Cottrell - it was local young gun Aiden Hayward and long-time key player Codey Graske who soaked up the final quarter spoils, Graske kicking two goals in a minute, the second a snap on his opposite foot deep in the forward pocket where the boundary was lined by Omeo Benambra supporters and family members. Graske was clearly playing at less than 100 per cent with a heavily taped knee, but he produced some moments of magic and finished with three goals. Gibbs was the main man in attack booting five, while league leading goalkicker Harry Warfe finished with three, all during the third quarter breakaway. Hayward and Harwood kicked two goals each, the latter a major instigator during the third quarter. Warfe was awarded the best afield medal, however it was his captain Robertson who had the most significant impact. The hard nut was in the thick of the action from start to finish being his side’s most significant ball winner and laying numerous tackles. Fellow onballer Ross Ansaldi was as classy as ever, his lethal left boot prominent and bobbing up late for a brilliant roving goal, while speedsters Will Cook and Riley Steenholdt broke the lines on a day where ball movement was difficult due to blustery winds. The Ranges were dominant and had it not been for the wild winds the result could’ve been much worse for Swifts Creek. The Demons were simply outclassed. They were put on the back foot prior to the opening bounce with key defender Tom King a late withdrawal, while injuries late did little to help their cause. They may have been within 21 points at half time, however only entered their attacking 50m rarely throughout the game, in fact taking more than 15 minutes during the second quarter to get within scoring territory. Luckily for the Creekers the two times they went forward during the second quarter they were able to goal. They defended grimly for four quarters, but sheer weight of numbers was against the Demons, the Ranges’ continued forward entries too much too handle. Tall defenders Robbie Crellin and Patrick Cusack battled hard, Cooper used the ball cleanly and Ben Commins, Richard Crabtree and Brodie Cameron did their best at the stoppages, however it wasn’t enough. GAUGING THE WIND Both teams found the going tough initially, adjusting to a strong cross wind which was ensuring the ball was played on the scoreboard side of the ground. With skill level down it took some veteran heads in Harwood and Gibbs to combine for the first goal of the match at the three minute mark. The Demons’ only score of the first quarter came from Andrew Sandy soon after. Omeo went ahead by two goals when a spearing Warfe ball landed in the arms of Harwood for a regulation set shot at 14 minutes. Graske kicked the Ranges to a three-goal advantage when he caught Sandy holding the ball at a boundary throw in, drilling a difficult set shot to seal a handy quarter time lead. Swifts Creek defended stoically during the first quarter and until the 12-minute mark of the second quarter when a downfield free kick against Nathan Hayes, who cleaned up Warfe late, gave Gibbs his second. Shortly after Harwood cleaned up a rare Gibbs miskick after a bridal king centering ball from Ansaldi, extending the lead to 32. The Demons finally found the middle of the big sticks from the resulting centre bounce, league best and fairest Beau Hack winning the centre clearance, coach Conor Harvey then driving the ball forward for Jack Reid to mark and goal. The Demons made it two in succession when a scrambled ball forward allowed Crabtree to capitalise and keep his side within reach at half time. Swifts Creek had made the most of its limited chances, meanwhile the Ranges were somewhat wasteful, but it was only a matter of time. FLOODGATES OPEN Omeo Benambra’s domination around the ball was always going to open the door to more scoring opportunities and it happened immediately during the third quarter. Gibbs kicked the first of the third, running onto a centering Harwood ball while Harwood was again instigator with a long midfield ball allowing Warfe to gather at ground level and banana a goal for a lead of 33. Warfe’s second almost immediately after from a set shot extended the margin further before frustration got the better of the Demons and a 50m penalty took Hayward to the goalsquare for another within a minute. The advantage was out to 45 and the sting was starting to go out of the game. The Demons stemmed the tide somewhat with some ruthless defence, but they were unable to significantly close gap. Jamie Barton kicked a long awaited response, but high pressure at the other end created Gibbs’ fourth. Warfe added his third for the quarter entering time on, the classy forward the beneficiary of swift transition from defence, while Gibbs’ fifth after the three quarter time siren made the margin 10 goals and the Ranges had their hands on the silverware. Swifts Creek kept fighting and Sandy was able to kick a final quarter goal, however that was not before Graske’s two and Hayward’s set shot. Ansaldi put the icing on a premiership cake as celebrations in the High Country officially kicked off. FINAL SCORES Omeo Benambra 3.1 5.4 12.8 16.9 (105) Swifts Creek 0.1 2.1 3.2 4.5 (29) GOALS - Omeo Benambra: J. Gibbs 5; C. Graske, H. Warfe 3; R. Harwood, A. Hayward 2; R. Ansaldi. Swifts Creek: J. Barton, R. Crabtree, J. Reid, A. Sandy. BEST - Omeo Benambra: J. Robertson, R. Ansaldi, W. Cook, R. Steenholdt, J. Gibbs, A. Hayward. Swifts Creek: R. Crabtree, R. Crellin, P. Cusack, B. Commins, A. Sandy, M. Cooper. Best-on-ground: Harry Warfe Omeo Benambra classy half back Todd Redenbach was at his influential best as the the Alpine Ranges cruised to the Omeo District Football Netball league senior premiership last Saturday, defeating High Country rival Swifts Creek by 76 points at a packed Swan Reach Recreation Reserve. ORDER YOUR COPY newspaperphotos.com.au 14 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale | Open Hours 8am|5pm HAVE FUN & GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS IN 2024! 5150 1132 5152 9035 EN25147
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