SWAN Hill overcame a slow start to defeat Mallee Eagles at the showgrounds on Saturday.
The Swans were poor in front of goal, particularly in the first half, allowing the Eagles to get some breathing space on the scoreboard in a close contest.
The performance of both sides points to them playing a role in September, but it was the classy Swans who got on top in the second-half thanks to best on ground performances from coach Xavier Moloney and full forward Hugh Foott.
Moloney and Foott — who’s six majors for the day proved the difference — combined well, with the coach finding the in-form forward on numerous occasions to give Swan Hill the ascendancy.
It was an accurate Mallee Eagles who got on top early, however, with Marty Kelly playing well around the ground and talls Simon Andrews and Sam Ayre providing targets up forward.
Andrews finished the day with four majors, while Ayre managed two.
Toby Thoolen and Jared Halligan got involved early, with both snapping the ball back into the Swans’ danger area from tight angles, allowing Jono Hirst to capitalise for the game’s first major.
The Eagles responded through Andrews, Ricky Thomson and Ayre though, to give the visitors the early running.
Swan Hill blazed away in the second term, missing crucial opportunities to put a dent in the Eagles’ nine point quarter time lead.
In contrast, Andrews and Kelly booted majors as the Eagles appeared in winning form.
Warren Carlyle and Ayre were also in the mix for the visitors, until the experience of full forward Foott began to tell.
Foott marked on a tight angle about 50m out, converting a vital goal for the home side.
At the main change the Eagles held a two-goal lead, laying down a clear challenge for the highly-fancied Swans.
The Swans responded though, with recruit Tim Ruffles finding the big sticks, and Foott, Halligan and Moloney also adding majors in a four goal term.
It was a clear shift of momentum, despite the Eagles maintaining the upper hand by seven points, thanks to three goals of their own for the premiership quarter.
Mallee couldn’t match the home side in the last term, with the visitors failing to add to their three quarter time score.
Four last quarter goals to the Swans ensured a convincing win, with Foott booting three in a match-winning quarter.
The Swans travel to Cohuna next up, while the Mallee Eagles host Woorinen.
