HDFNL | Swifts v Pimpinio

It was their third consecutive win to start the season.

The Baggies are now sitting second on the ladder alongside fellow undefeated club Southern Mallee. 

The match was a one-sided affair with the Baggies defeating the Tigers 26.14.170 to 3.3.21. 

The Baggies put the pressure on from the start of the game, leading at the first change by 38 points and keeping Pimpinio goalless. 

Swifts coach Scott Carey said he puts a lot of the team’s quick starts down to good fitness.

“The boys prepared well in the pre-season. We put in a lot of hard work and it’s paying off,” he said. 

Another challenging quarter faced the Tigers and a 72-point buffer separated the two sides at the main break. 

Swifts kicked six majors and three minors in the third quarter while the Tigers managed just one major and one minor – its highest scoring quarter of the game. 

It was a big day for the Baggies, with club stalwart Nick Pickering playing in his 250^th game. 

Carey said it meant a lot to the club.

“For a guy like Nick to play 250 games is great. He is a great influence on our young guys,” he said.

“He hasn’t slowed with age, he just keeps getting better.” 

Pickering was named best on ground for the Baggies kicking two majors, as well as being solid down back early on.  

“Nick was everywhere on the ground. He took eight or nine marks for the day, was solid of the half back and then went forward and kicked a couple to put the icing on the cake,” Carey said. 

Carey, who finished with one goal and was third best on ground for the Baggies, was also full of praise for new forward Ben Hustler.

After moving from Great Western in the summer, and playing the first two rounds in the reserves, Hustler made a statement in his first senior game for the Baggies with seven goals. 

“He was great Ben. It was great to see him play so well in his first game for us.” 

“He put in the hard yards in the first few rounds, and they really paid off on the weekend,” he said. 

Liam Jakobi, Jordan Cramer and Daniel Baker were among the Tigers’ best.  

Ben Taylor, Matt Healy and Andrew Cameron were also influential for the Baggies. 

Carey said he puts the massive 149-point win down to a great “four quarter performance”.

“We need to keep the momentum going. We have a great bunch of young, new guys who need to experience this success and keep it moving,” he said.

Carey has been impressed by how his group has worked together so far.

“Our young guys have been great. It’s impressive to see a new group of players get along the way they have,” Carey said.

“With guys like Nick leading them, we have a terrific opportunity in front of us this season.” 

The undefeated Baggies play host to Edenhope-Apsley, who currently sit fourth on the Horsham District Football Netball League ladder, with two wins and a loss.

The last time the Baggies went 3-0 was in 2014, a season where the Baggies went on to win the senior premiership.

“It is a big weekend ahead, and we cannot wait,” Carey said.