KERANG secured their first points of 2025 with a dominant 37-point win over a wasteful Swan Hill on the weekend.
The young Blues led from start to finish to record their first win since the return of premiership coach Paul Grayling, with a four goal to one opening term helping to set the tone for what was to follow in the 7.10 (52) to 2.3 (15) victory.
With overnight rain making ball handling difficult at times, it was Kerang who adapted best, with the Blues locking the ball in their forward half of the ground for long periods of time.
This was due largely to the well organised zone defence Kerang had in place behind the ball, which Swan Hill found impossible to penetrate for large periods of the first half.
Making the home team’s task easier was Swan Hill’s wasteful disposal, with skill errors by hand and foot from both young and experienced players alike seeing them consistently hand the ball back to the Blues.
Part of the problem was the Swans lack of a key marking target up forward, with the Swan Hill midfielders regularly bombing the ball inside their forward half, only to see it rebound straight back out through the likes Josh Hunter, Hugh Bremner and Dominic Dick-O’Flaherty.
Compounding Swan Hill’s issues was the fact that many of their forwards were forced to push high up the ground in order to provide a marking target on the wing, only to have no options to kick to themselves, which contributed to the visitors failing to score for the entire second and third quarters.
Swan Hill did, however, look dangerous for the first 10 minutes of the final quarter, after they not only lifted their work rate but also began to link up by hand and break the lines.
That was as good as it got for the Swans, however, who soon reverted back to their slow and steady, short passing game style.
Kerang on the other hand were impressive in the way they moved the ball, with their ability to quickly transition from defence to attack helping to create opportunities for Bohden McKnight and Mason Dibsdale up forward.
Dibsdale worked tirelessly all afternoon and although he finished with just one goal for the afternoon, he more importantly provided the Blues with a key target inside attacking 50.
Although he may not have dominated in the air, he was rarely out-marked and often helped bring the ball to ground, with the pressure then placed on Swan Hill’s defenders often resulting in repeat entries for the home side.
Where Swan Hill were often wasteful by foot, Kerang were clean, with the Blues controlling the stoppages thanks to the hard work of Bradlee Pay, Cody Makeham, Marty Kelly and Bremner.
Pay showed why he has long been considered one of the best ball users in the Central Murray, with the midfielder continuously finding teammates in the corridor which in turn opened up the game for the home side and combined with his two goals, was a clear standout.
Also among the Blues better players was Leigham Mcalpin, who was dangerous with his run and carry through the middle, along with defender Jayden Crellin, who was dominant in the first quarter and Archer Dibsdale, who battled manfully at both ends of the ground.
The one shining light for Swan Hill was the performance of their back six, who performed admirably to allow Kerang just 17 scoring shots for the afternoon given the endless opportunities that were afforded their forwards.
Kallen Heslop is clearly relishing his new role and was a standout for the Swans across half back, as was fellow veteran Jared Halligan, Tom Holdstock, Sunny Handy and Brenton Halligan.
The other positive for the Swans was the obvious improvement of youngsters Lane Cardenas and Harry Scott, with the latter providing his teammates with a strong marking option across the centre in the second half.
Kerang will take on Koondrook-Barham next Saturday in an all-important clash for both clubs, while Swan Hill will meet Lake Boga.
VOTES
3 – Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
2 – Josh Hunter (Kerang)
1 – Kallen Heslop (Swan Hill)
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Kerang | 4.1 | 5.4 | 6.7 | 7.10 | 52 |
| Swan Hill | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 15 |
