Swifts Creek inflicted ladder leader, Swan Reach’s second defeat of the season in round nine of the Omeo and District Football Netball League last Saturday at the Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve.
Interestingly both losses have been high in the mountains, the former in round three, when the Alpine Ranges put them to the sword in an infamous match at the Omeo Recreation Reserve that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
For the fifth-placed Demons, it made win number three from its last four matches, as it hangs on valiantly to the top four, currently sitting four points ajar of both Bruthen and Buchan.
The Swans made the trip with just 17 players and with early injuries to this weeks inclusions, Max Solomon (knee) and Daniel Hayes (calf), they were left short on personnel, and paid the price as the Demons ran them ragged on a fast service.
Swifts Creek gave itself every chance to get the four points, opening with five goals to two in the opening term, with coach, Conor Harvey in form up forward kicking five goals.
The Demons play their best football when “The Big Rig” can go forward, but due to a lack of depth this season has predominately played on ball.
With the advantage and with Andrew Sandy dominating in the ruck, the Demons took control in the final three quarters, kicking 10 goals to just two, eclipsing the flag favourite by an astonishing 70 points.
The Demons were slow starters in 2024, eventually making a mid and late season run, which saw it make it through to grand final day.
They don’t appear to have the depth this year but they are definitely on the up, as the pressure now turns to Swan Reach, the on field, joining some off field issues that are currently lingering in the background.
The emerging Jack Reid and skipper Beau Hack also finished with three goals for the Demons, with their best players being Sandy, Hack, Tommy Mitchell, Reid, Brodie Matthews, Harvey and Dilon Bittner.
Alex Saunders was again great for the Swans, with support from Mark Cooper, Dylan Bryant, Broden Rose, Keith Ritchie and Che Davies.
Swifts Creek face an interesting contest this week when it heads to Buchan, the Cavemen
have showed in the past month if they get the right side on the park they are capable of beating anyone.
Expect to see some big names in their line up this week as they try to protect their top four buffer.
Swan Reach will be keen to bounce back when it welcomes Bruthen, who have been beaten narrowly in consecutive weeks.
It was a tough and wild match last time, with both sides needing the four points to make a statement on where they are at and where they are heading.
