But a lapse in concentration saw the good start fall to pieces, with the Baggies coming from behind to win 12.8 (80) to 11.9 (75). 

The Rams had a 14-point lead after a strong opening quarter, where the side managed 4.2 to the Baggies’ 2.0. 

But it was the Baggies who out-played the Rams in the second quarter, with the side scoring three goals to the home team’s two. 

At the main break it was the Rams who were leading in front of home fans, with the score Natimuk United 6.4 (40) to Swifts 5.2 (32). 

The Rams stood up for the second time in the third quarter and won it 4.4 to 3.3. 

The home side led by 15 points coming into the final quarter. 

Baggies had its best quarter of the day while the Rams had its worst and it cost it a home ground win. 

Five points was the difference when the final siren sounded. 

Opposite goal scorers Andrew Cameron and Nathan Koenig had strong games in front of the sticks, with Swifts’ Cameron scoring five while Koenig managed four for the Rams. 

Young Natimuk United ruck-man Jordan Smith was named best on for the home side while another young gun, Ben Taylor for the Swifts was named best on for the travelling team. 

Adrian Reid was named second best for the Baggies while Alex Ridsdale was second for the Rams. 

Swifts coach Scott Carey said the Rams were hungry for a win from the start of the game. 

“We really had to claw our way back into it,” he said. 

“Credit to them – they never let up.” 

Carey said the best thing from the game was his side’s willingness to work both ways. 

“After we would lose it in attack everyone realised they needed to help the back-line out,” he said. 

Carey said there were instances in the second third and fourth quarter that looked like his side would get back into the game. 

“There were times we would kick a couple goals in a row but then they would cancel them out by getting a couple back,” he said. 

“We just couldn’t turn the game in our favour. 

“We had to really work hard for this win.” 

The Swifts played strongly in stoppages and ran well on the outside. 

“I was really happy with Adrian Reed, he nullified Sam Anson in midfield,” Carey said.

“ake Goodes had his best game of the season on half back and Angus Martin had a blinder as a back-up ruck-man and key forward. 

“John Lovell and Nathan Koenig were handy for them. 

“It was a really good contest, as a team they bonded really well.” Carey said he started to notice his side enjoyed doing it the hard way. 

“We are capable of running a game out until the end and make the right decisions at the right times, it’s a credit to the boys,” he said. 

Rams coach Sam Anson said the game was goal-for-goal in the final quarter and his side couldn’t hold onto the lead. 

“We played a good brand of team footy for two and a half quarters,” he said. 

“Now that we’re coming off two losses I had to make it hurt, I want to change the mindset from ‘it’s okay’ to ‘it needs to be better’.”