Relentless Swans turn up the pressure

BALLARAT coach Ash Baker has praised his team’s contested ball and tackle pressure following Saturday’s win over Bacchus Marsh.

The Swans moved into second place on the ladder with a convincing, but hard-fought 13.15 (93) to 4.14 (38) victory at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.

A little wasteful in wet and blustery conditions in the first half, the Swans were able to restrict the Cobras to just one goal in the first three quarters and four in total in an important 55-point win.

Baker said he was rapt with the way his side went about its contested football.

“I loved the way we cracked in. I thought our pressure was really good early,” he said.

“Our tackle pressure was great and our use by hand in and around the stoppage was good early.

“Bacchus Marsh had a bit of control in the first half of the second quarter – the ball lived in their forward half.

 

“But I thought we stood up defensively pretty well and then were able to kick a few in the second half of the quarter to set things up.

“It was a good consistent effort by us today.”

The Swans were without former AFL player Alex Keath, sidelined due to concussion protocols emanating from the Swans’ win over Melton before the bye.

Baker put the victory down to his team’s willingness to work for each other and play unselfish football throughout the four quarters.

“No doubt about it, Bacchus Marsh cracked in. Sadly for them they had a couple of injuries coming in with Tyson Shea not playing, (Simon) Lafranchi not playing and (Josh) Huxtable playing VFL, so their depth gets tested,” he said.

“But I thought we were really good when it counted.”

 

Baker said having to slot just six Swans into the ‘official’ best players list was an arduous task given the depth of contributions, but added trying to squeeze 14 or so into six was a good problem to have.

The Swans’ better performers could be found in all parts of the ground.

Thomas Simpson (two goals) was lively on a wing early, before fully utilising his strength in an inside mid role.

Riley Constable continued his purple patch in defence, Paddy Graham fared well in an entertaining duel with gun Bacchus Marsh ruck Luke Goetz, while Fraser Perkins and Lewis Rinaldi were always in the thick of things in the midfield.

Up forward, former SANFL player Tyson Richard delivered his best performance in his first six games as a Swan.

“Tyson was really solid,” Baker said.

“It was one of those games where the ball handler didn’t have much time and was just banging it forward, so often he was jumping against two of three.

 

“But we thought he was really strong for us and kept contesting.”

Cody Gates, Adam Blain, Billy Griffiths, Tarkyn Findlay, Ethan Mckercher and Goetz were all prominent for the Cobras, who slipped to 4-3, but continue to hold down fifth spot ahead of a home clash against Lake Wendouree this Saturday.

Ballarat will host Sunbury, which defeated the Lakers by 49 points, highlighted by a five-goal haul from Daniel Johnston and best on ground performance from Cody Bramble.

Elsewhere, East Point made it two straight wins with a plucky four-point win over Melton.

The Kangaroos had their noses in front by a solitary point at three-quarter time, but despite some inaccurate kicking in the last (1.5), held the Bloods to 1.2 for a stirring victory.

Liam Canny (two goals), Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, Alex Molan, Cooper Glenwright-McGuane, Luca Geue and Deng Lual led the way for the Kangaroos, while Jarrod Joyce kept the scoreboard ticking over with three goals.

 

Joshua Stewart, Liam Carter (three goals), Harrison Hanley, Ryan Davis, Braedan Kight, Lachlan Phillips rated best for the Bloods, who have lost their last three games in a row.

Reigning premier Darley bounced back from a loss to Sebastopol to beat Redan by 89 points.

The win was underpinned by five goals from Will Johnson and fabulous performances from Michael Edwards, Brett Bewley, Luther Baker, Zane Le Huray and Lachlan George (two goals).

Bewley and Nick Hind each kicked three goals.

For Redan, Zac Mortlock, Jacob Werts, Lachlan Bond, Nicholas Barker, Oliver Pittard and Lachlan Kroussoratis all toiled hard.