Swifts 161 d Noradjuha-Quantong 47
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AN ARM wrestle in the first quarter of Saturday’s match between Swifts and Noradjuha-Quantong at Stawell’s North Park gave little indication of the three lopsided quarters to come.
The Baggies burned off the Bombers after a sloppy first term from both teams to win 25.11 (161) to 6.11 (47).
It came after Swifts led by only six points at the first change, with the sides combining to boot 10 behinds to just three goals.
The home side ratcheted up its pressure around the ball in the second term and it paid dividends as the Bombers reverted to turning the ball over – a problem that has plagued them this year.
The Baggies used the turnovers to great effect, with coach Ben Martin and centre-half forward Julian Carr on the end of some perfect passes in the forward line.
Martin booted eight goals and Carr finished with seven, while Sean Mantell helped set them up with a great game in the midfield.
Martin and Bomber Lachie Wilson were both reported after a scuffle, but Martin said there was not much in the incident.
“The best aspect of the game for us was our midfield pressure, which really lifted in the second quarter,” he said.
“Our tackles started sticking and every time they got it, they were under pressure.”
Noradjuha-Quantong coach Jarred Combe said the final margin was a let down for his side.
“It was pretty disappointing, but we came up against a very good opposition,” he said.
“They were very clean when they went forward and they seemed to lock the ball in their forward line with their pressure.”
Combe said Sam Weddell continued to show his worth as a player in the backline after starring in the ruck in the Bombers’ previous match.
Dusty Cross and Nathan Byrne were also impressive, while Combe was also named among the Bombers’ best.