Ladder leader Swan Reach has defeated arch nemesis Omeo Benambra in a shootout at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve in round eight of the Omeo and District Football Netball League (ODFNL).
The victory puts the Swans two games on top of the competition ladder, having only been beaten once for the season – the eventful clash at the top of the mountain when the sides last met which was called off in the third quarter by umpires.
There was no such dramas this time, as the sides traded goals all day, the Swans leaders by one point at quarter time, three points at half time and nine points at three quarter time.
Interestingly those nine points, were just that, nine more scoring opportunities, the Alpine Ranges’ accuracy in front of goal keeping them in the contest.
The match was a high-scoring affair, like the ODFNL used to be when legends like Bob Southern, Gary Fenton and Dylan Bolton used to fill up with big bags.
With both sides having kicked 12 majors by three quarter time you would have suspected they might have begun to get tire, but that wasn’t the case, the
shootout continuing in the final term, the Swans getting the better of the Alpine Ranges late, kicking seven final term majors while Omeo’s six saw it go down by 13 points in a match that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
Harley Whelan had a day out up forward for Swan Reach in the absence of Max Solomon, Darren Allen and Daniel Hayes, finishing with six goals, exquisitely skilled Alex Saunders and Keith Ritchie slotted three each,
while ruckman Brayden Baade kicked a couple while resting forward.
Former Omeo coach Cody Graske kicked seven goals, despite still looking to be playing on one leg, with Brandon Betts,
Jacob Tomkins, Aiden Hayward and the ageless David Paech kicking two each.
Among the best for Swan Reach were speedster Dylan Bryant, Saunders, Peter Ritchie, Baade, Alex Bandiera and Jamie Mohamad.
The Alpine Ranges got great drive from Brandon Betts, Hayward, Graske, Hudson Collins, Campbell Ahsam and Tyler Betts.
Omeo Benambra and Swan Reach will cross paths again this week, the Ranges coming down the mountain to play Bruthen at the Bruthen Recreation Reserve, while the Swans will head up the mountain to do battle with Swifts Creek in a danger of sorts.
