Keath stars as Swans land opening round blow

BUOYED by a vibrant pre-season on the recruiting front, Ballarat coach Ash Baker was rapt to see the fruits of the Swans’ labour survive a crucial first-up test against another expected improver in North Ballarat last Saturday.

The Swans led at every change to run out winners 12.11 (83) to 11.4 (70), but not before Denver Grainger-Barras put the Roosters in front about four minutes into the final term.

A reply a minute later from Luke Gray put the Swans in front for good, before Jack O’Brien gave them some breathing room about 10 minutes in.

The Roosters’ hopes were again reignited when Will Quinlan slotted his second for the game approaching time on, before they went forward from the centre bounce.

But after defending grimly for three minutes, the Swans were able to find a way forward.

A free kick on centre wing from Fraser Perkins found skipper Andrew Hooper all on his own at half forward.

His shot on goal fell short, but lurking on his own in the square, Gray was able to snap truly to push the margin out to seven points.

O’Brien’s third for the game less than a minute later following some loose checking from the Roosters’ defence put the seal on a tough victory for the Swans.

Baker said he was rapt to get away with a win.

“Very pleased to hit the ground running and get a win first-up,” he said.

“There wasn’t much in it all day – never more than a couple of goals.

“North managed to hit the front in the last quarter, but we responded with a couple of girls, which was pleasing.

“They did get a hold of us in the second game last year, so I’m happy to get away with a win.”

Having only secured their spot in finals last season after a captivating final round and with the same two teams playing out a draw in round one last season, Baker said early wins would prove crucial, particularly with some exciting new personnel on board.

“We’ve got a few new faces, so it will take us a while to gel,” he said.

“But while we are gelling, it’s nice to start with a win and get the chance to chase a couple more.”

Baker could not have been happier with the first-up performances of AFL-experienced recruits Brad Crouch and Alex Keath (25 disposals, 10 intercept possessions, seven rebound 50s), with the latter proving a real stumbling block to the Roosters behind the ball.

“Alex was very good, as was Tristan Maple off half back and Lewis Rinaldi through the midfield,” he said.

“Our new ruckman Paddy Graham (recruited from Skipton) was a great contributor … very athletic and tall and will be pretty important for us going forward.

“Brad (Crouch) was great in the clinches for us.”

The clash at Mars Stadium served as the comeback for Biggie Nyuon, whose 2025 season ended prematurely due to ankle syndesmosis.

The former Richmond and North Melbourne key position player made a strong contribution at both ends of the ground, finishing with two goals while taking some telling marks in defence.

For Noth Ballarat, Grainger-Barras was always a threat, ending the game with three goals, while none were better than Sam Glover in his return to the BFNL ranks with a game-high 31 possessions and 14 intercept possessions.

Brock Leonard, Josh Morris and Harvey Lewis were all busy throughout.

Roosters coach Clint Proctor was left to rue his side’s inability to take make the most of their chances late in the game, after starting the final term with plenty of momentum.”Difficult conditions most of the day – wind and rain having an impact,” he said.

“I thought Ballarat were clean today and hurt us around stoppages with their movement.

“We adjusted well and had a chance to take the win, but unfortunately didn’t handle the moments late.”

The Roosters will look to bounce back against a red-hot Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park, after the Cobras claimed their second consecutive major scalp by defeating Melton by five points in a thriller away from home.

Ballarat will take on impressive round one winners Sebastopol, which defeated East Point by 45 points under lights at Marty Busch Reserve.

Baker is expecting a massive challenge after the Burra showed a plethora of encouraging early signs, led by big games from Jack Bambury, Adam Forbes, Toby Hutt, recruit Felix Henderson and paying coach Tony Lockyer.

“We’ll need to tidy up in a couple of areas … a bit of ball movement stuff and numbers at the ball,” he said.

“We spent the rest of the weekend looking at our game and evaluating that, but the attention turned quickly to Sebas and what we need to do to get over them.

“They were pretty handy Saturday night.

“It’s only early but it’s shaping up to be a good competition.”

In other round two games, impressive first round winners Redan will tackle the might of Sunbury, Lake Wendouree hosts Melton, and East Point takes on reigning premiers Darley, fresh from a come-from-behind win over Sunbury in their 2025 grand final rematch.

The Devils came from 17 points down late in the final term, to claim a thrilling two-point win.