Swannies swim to victory

Ballarat 7.12 (54) defeated Lake Wendouree 6.5 (41)

IN cold, wet, wintery conditions the Ballarat Swans have held off the bottom side in the McDonalds Ballarat Football Netball League to move into third place on the ladder.

Jack Blackburn was one of the Swans best with his class and polish on the outside vital in the wet conditions, and helping his side sneak home by 13-points in a tight affair.

Ballarat was without the big name of Josh Gibson who missed with a hamstring complaint, but they welcomed Austin McPherson as a late inclusion.

The Lakers battled on without the regulars Nick Rippon, Ash Simpson and Jacob Coxall.

The start was always going to be crucial for Jack Fitzpatrick’s men and in a low scoring affair Lake Wendouree made it count, with opening quarter goals to Brayden Helyar, Angus Gove and youngster Cooper James that gave the visitors a 12-point buffer into the first break.

The southern end of Alfredton Oval was favoured by a stiff breeze and 12 of the 13 goals went that way.

The Swannies booted three goals of their own in the second term to that end to take an eleven point half-time lead.

It could have been more, but accuracy was an issue, particularly for 2019 Tony Lockett Medallist, Andrew Hooper.

As the rain continued to bucket down, the Lakers responded after the long break with veteran Nathan Pring putting his side in front.

With the third term ticking into time, Kye Edwards bobbed up to stretch the lead by eight points going into the last term.

As a huge upset loomed, Pring went from hero to villain via a couple uncharacteristic mistakes and the Swans capitalised seal an important victory in terms of securing their finals fate.

Next up for the home side should be belter when they host the second placed Sebastopol in a game that will about secure finals footy for the victor.

Whereas the Lakers host Melton South and will draw plenty of positives coming out of this one as they chase their second victory of the season and more importantly their ambitions to move off the bottom of the ladder.