Baggies lose thriller to Southern Roos

A two-goal to zero final quarter saw Harrow Balmoral win their 41st consecutive game, defeating Swifts by eight points in a thrilling encounter.

By Chris Graetz

Swifts' Brodie Kindred lays a tackle with Macka Padley in support and Joseph Martin watching on. PHOTO: TRISH RALPH

With the aid of a breeze, the Southern Roos started the game strong, kicking four goals to two in the opening quarter to lead by 14 points at quarter time.

In the second quarter, Swifts kicked three goals and held the Southern Roos to one goal as they trailed by two points at the main break.

Following coach Brett Hargreaves pumping his troops up at halftime, they came out hard and won the quarter, taking a three-point lead into the final break.

In the last quarter, with the game on the line, it was the Southern Roos that handled the contest better, running out 9.8.62 to 8.6.54 winners.

Kobe Lowe kicked four goals for Swifts with Cameron Wickham booting two and Chris Freeman and Jordan Motton chipping in with one.

Angus Murray, Jesse Galea Portelli, Mack Padley, Sean Mantell and Liam Scott were among the best players for Swifts.

Brett Hargreaves said it was a disappointing result.

“We had our chances, but we couldn’t capitalise and let a good chance slip,” Hargreaves said.

“We let ourselves down with our skills at times – missing kicks or handballs which we should have hit, and that just puts pressure on other players and Harrow Balmoral is good at putting players under pressure.

“Our backline battled well, and the midfield at times was on top, and the more open the game was the better we were and the more contested it was, the better they were.”

Despite the loss, Hargreaves said he hopes they take a lot out of the match.

“I don’t think the boys have played in a game of that quality yet, certainly not the physicality,” Hargreaves said.

“We know what a tough game of football and a tight contest feels like.

“As long as the boys have learned a lesson and remember that we will take a lot away.”

Despite the loss, the Swifts are sitting third on the ladder on three wins with Pimpinio, their next opponent tomorrow at the Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.

Hargreaves is looking forward to seeing how the boys respond to the loss and how they go against one of the other premiership contenders in the competition.

“We let ourselves down against Laharum and played well against Kalkee, and Harrow, we didn’t play that bad,” Hargreaves said.

“When you put that together we should get the four points, but we know it will be hard.

“It will be good to have a close look at them and hopefully we can respond.”