SWAN Hill’s finals campaign came to an end in straight sets, thanks to a 52-point demolition by Tooleybuc Manangatang in Saturday’s preliminary final.
The result turned the qualifying final outcome on its head, with the Saints settling midway through the first term and controlling play for the rest of the day.
The Swans forward line once again appeared far less threatening without the big target of Hugh Foott to straighten them up, while the absence of Arnold Kirby — due to a hamstring injury — complicated matters further.
While Swan Hill was able to get the first centre clearance thanks to Tim Ruffles, and an early shot on goal to Paddy Dow, it soon became clear that the Swans’ forward line would not function to a high enough level without the former coach.
Inspirational coach Xavier Moloney bobbed up for four late, including a second-half one-possession goal from a centre bounce.
Young gun Lachlan Joyce also managed a couple but they were the only multiple goal kickers for the early season premiership favourites.
Paddy Dow and Jed Dow also showed potential at times for the Swans, while Brendan Blackmore was strong in defence.
That was about it though for Swan Hill.
While an early dropped goal square mark by Kayne McAlpine was costly, in hindsight it served to emphasise Tooleybuc Manangatang’s dominance over four quarters.
It was a tough chance but had McAlpine shepherded the ball, it almost certainly would have bounced through. Yet at the end of the day, the passage of play underscored the Saints preparedness to take the game on and scramble for every half chance.
McAlpine repaid the error with four goals and numerous marks in a strong game in a key forward’s role.
He ended up being more significant than league leading goal kicker Lee Cox who managed two in a relatively quiet performance.
Ryan O’Sullivan was as prominent as ever with a couple of goals and good work around the ground.
Tooleybuc Manangatang won every quarter to prove a more than convincing grand finalist.
It was an appropriate preliminary final to decide who best to tackle Kerang in the season decider but in the end the Swans were never truly in the hunt. And so the Saints emerge as legitimately the best placed to challenge the Blues’ dominance this season.
The Saints will probably provide the best challenge for Kerang, with a tall department that seems best suited to stretching the Blues’ defence.
McAlpine, Cox and co will need to be on song in the air though, with the Blues seeming better placed to win the contest at ground level.
Frankie Robinson snagged two — including the game’s opening major — in a strong performance yesterday. The exciting young goal sneak will find his job more challenging by half next week.
O’Sullivan and his on-ballers will need to click around the ground as well, with the Blues supreme at stoppages.
The Saints had too much firepower for the Swans and have earned the right to plan to upset Kerang.
