Ground: Kalkee Recreation Reserve, Saturday, 2.20pm.
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Umpires: F. Marklew and L. Campbell.
Last time they met: Round 2, 2014. Swifts 17.11 (113) d Kalkee 14.13 (97).
SWIFTS’ reputation as a poor road team will be put to the test at Kalkee Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Baggies are flying this year with 11 wins from 12 games, but face one of their biggest tests so far this season against Kalkee.
Swifts defeated Kalkee by 16 points in round two, but the Kees rebounded from a three-game losing streak to start the season, winning eight of their past nine games.
Road games against tough opponents traditionally have been the Baggies’ downfall.
From 2009 the team has accumulated a 33-17 record at home, but only a 20-28 record on the road.
Coach Ben Martin said his side had an opportunity to stamp itself as a premiership contender with a win against Kalkee on its home turf.
“I think there’s a bit of belief after we beat them at the start of the year, which is something the club hasn’t done in a long time,” he said.
“We’ve got the midfield, the backline and the forward line structures, we’ve just got to put it together on the day.
“If we beat Kalkee, it sends a bit of a message that we’re not vulnerable away from home.”
Boosting the Baggies will be big man Brett Hargreaves, who is expected to play out the rest of the season with the team after appearing in only two matches to date.
Kalkee will also have a nearly full list to choose from after a week off.
Oliver Young and Sam Jasper have put injury worries behind them and could add leg speed to the Kees if selected.
Coach Trevor O’Brien said his side was primed for both the game against Swifts and next round’s clash with Harrow-Balmoral.
“The next two weeks are going to be very important for the footy club,” he said.
“It was the first half where they blew us out of the water and kicked 10 goals to two last time, so we’ve got to match up better on them or they’ll do it to us again.”
O’Brien said his team was playing better football than in its previous meeting with Swifts and would be ready for predicted wet conditions.
