Youthful Swans Bounce Back

Ballarat 15.14 (104) defeated Darley 11.6 (72)

AFTER a couple tight losses in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League, the Ballarat Swans have bounced back with a convincing thirty-two-point victory over the bottom placed Darley Devils.

Captain, Sam James, lead from the front as he has all season with a high possession three-goal game supported by veteran, Daniel Kennedy, who also bobbed up with a couple majors.

VFL-listed player at Werribee, Ryan Kemp was the Devils best in the loss with four goals to his name while the Inglis brothers, Harley and Brad, battled hard all afternoon in the midfield.

Alfredton Oval was bathed in beautiful sunshine for the entirety of the match with a stiff southerly breeze creating what was to be a three to four goal advantage to one end of the ground.

The Swans used that breeze to their favour in the opening term with spearhead Jake Dunne booting a couple of goals in his debut for the club. However, Dunne did not continue on his merry way, reinjuring his hamstring that has kept him absent since the start of season.

With this, the Devils were able to respond with a four to one quarter in the second term with goals to defenders Nash Reynolds and Daniel Robson, making a four-point ball game at the major break.

Controlling the game in the ruck was 2019 best and fairest winner Marcus Powling, who was named best by coach Joe Carmody. Powling gave his midfielders first use all afternoon with James, Kennedy and speedster Jack Blackburn getting on top in the contest.

An after the siren three quarter time goal via ex-AFL footballer Mitch Banner kept the Devils within touching distance, only for the Swans to slam home six goals against the breeze in the final term to claim victory.

A trip to Clarke Oval awaits the victors where the vast expanses of that ground should suit the young Swannies with the likes of Jake Drever looking to back up his breakout three-goal game performance and help his side square the ledger in season 2021.

For the Devils they return to their home to host a Sebastopol outfit that was able to bounce back convincingly against Lake Wendouree at the C. E. Brown Reserve. They can hold their heads high after this week’s performance, but a tough Burra opposition means next week could get ugly.