Swans storm home to overcome Bloods

BALLARAT coach Ash Baker says the Swans have set themselves up nicely in the first third of the season, but warns the challenges will be coming thick and fast following this weekend’s interleague bye

The third-placed Swans moved to 5-1 following a 12-point come-from-behind win over Melton on the Bloods’ home deck at MacPherson Park.

Aiming to rebound from a loss to North Ballarat, Melton led a low-scoring affair by 17 points at half-time and by 10 at three-quarter time, before the Swans swept to victory off the back of a six-goal to three final term.

Biggie Nyuon proved pivotal to the outcome with five goals, his influence growing in the second half.

Baker hailed a gritty performance from the Swans, who had just one goal on the board at half-time to the Bloods’ four.

In defence, the ‘underrated’ Riley Constable continued his strong recent form with another prominent team-oriented game, while Alex Keath and Thomas Simpson were strong in the contest, while Sam Battistella won plaudits for his job on Braeden Kight.

“It was a bit of an arm-wrestle early … four goals to one at half-time. But out of their four goals, we handed them two through basic skill errors,” said Baker.

“The three-goal margin at half-time probably wasn’t overly reflective of the game, but then we got a bit of our groove going in the third quarter and then we carried that on into the last.

“It opened up a little bit in thew third, but thankfully we were able to get a bit more of the ball going forward in the last to give our forwards a bit more of a look at it.

“Biggie (Nyuon) started to clunk a few in the second half, which made a difference.”

With a few niggles here and there, Baker said the Swans would appreciate the weekend off before recharging for a crack at an in-form Bacchus Marsh, which will be coming off a stirring 28-point win over Sunbury.

 

“Rhys Perry didn’t play with a bit of soreness and Bailey Fraser missed as well, so we’re hoping to get them back,” said Baker, who acknowledged the list of Melton players missing on Saturday.

“Tristan Maple played VFL, but he’s a week-to-week proposition for us.

“So there is a bit to come back in.”

Jack Walker, Jaycob Hickey, Adrian Monitto, Jordyn Cotter, Harrison Hanley and Chase Scoble were the official best for Melton, while Liam Carter led the way on the scoreboard with three goals.

Baker said while the Swans had worked themselves into a nice position a third of the way into the season, a run of games against Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury, Darley and North Ballarat would paint a clearer picture of their standing in the competition.

“We’ve hit the ground running a little bit, but we have a tough run coming up, well starting (last Saturday),” he said.

“The month after the bye is going to give us a bit of a clearer picture of where we are at.

“I reckon we will know where we are at in a month’s time.”

Elsewhere, Lake Wendouree’s clash with East Point at C.E. Brown Reserve was abandoned late in third quarter after Lakers forward Josh Canny was knocked-out in a tackle.

With Canny, clearly among the Lakers’ top contributors before the incident, motionless on the ground, an ambulance was called, but a delay in arriving meant it did not exit the ground until about 5.30pm, causing the game to be called off.

East Point led 12.15 (87) to 7.2 (44) at the time of the incident and have been awarded the four points.

It was the first win this season for the Roos, whose best players included Cooper Glenwright-McGuane, Liam Canny, Liam Howard, Sam McDonald (three goals), Joe Fraser and Thomas Brown.

Canny, Cooper James, Will Fordham, Joel O’Connell, Lewis Antonac and Tyson Walsh led the way for the Lakers.

At City Oval, Jye Lockett and Declan Mcguigan both kicked three goals in a 44-point North Ballarat win over Redan.

Sam Glover was best on ground for the Roosters, who had the services of ruckman David Brinker-Ritchie for the first time this season, and was a key contributor alongside Henry Shea, Harvey Lewis and Reggie Palmer.

Lachlan Bond, Liam Hoy, Rory Gunsser, Harry Lawson and Oliver Pittard were best for the Lions, who were brave in defeat.