KOONDROOK-Barham have had their biggest win in recent memory last Saturday as they have blitzed Swan Hill by a staggering 120 points.
The 6.10 (46) to 24.22 (166) score proves that Koondrook-Barham are the real deal as they are now on a three game winning streak along with sitting in fourth place on the ladder.
At the start of the contest, the Swans kicked two behinds early on in the contest.
It would be the only time that Swan Hill were in front, as the Raiders started to really apply the pressure on the Swans and finished the first quarter with a 35 point lead.
Koondrook-Barham were really strong with their ball movement, every time the Swans applied pressure inside the contest, the Raiders found a way to pass to an open man and get out of danger.
They were also very strong in making the Swans pay for their mistakes, it would prove to be a factor for the rest of the contest.
The second quarter was a replica of the first for the Raiders, continuing with their solid ball movement to find the open man and bring it towards their forward fifty.
There was simply nothing Swan Hill could do; Koondrook-Barham were just leagues above them in all ways possible.
The Raiders led by 67 points by half-time, and by that stage the game was well and truly won for Koondrook-Barham.
Most people probably would have thought that the Raiders would start to calm down as they were well and truly home, however they kept on pushing throughout the second half.
Their midfield performance was a thing of beauty to watch for neutral and Raiders fans alike.
Koondrook-Barham head coach Marcus Demaria was happy with how well the ball movement has been working this season.
“Very Impressed with our ball movement, we are seven games into the season and we have been getting better and better every week,” Demaria said.
“The way we open up the ground we naturally look for options.
“When the in contest ball is in play, we always make sure to go through the corridor and things open up.
“So overall I’m happy that everything is starting to come together here.”
Koondrook-Barham were leading by 93 points by three quarter time, and by the end of the match, they were on 120 points, citing one of the biggest wins in the modern era for the Raiders.
Demaria shared his thoughts on the massive win with The Guardian.
“Yeah, pretty pleased with how things are going, when someone says you are five and two at the start of the season, you’ll definitely take that,” Demaria said
“So yeah, just really happy with the way we have been improving so far this season.”
Kye Attwell was outstanding against the Swans, bagging six goals, the most he has scored on seniors level.
Benji Neal was also fantastic in the midfield, particuarly as he was without his partner in crime of Lee Dale.
Demaria was full of praise with how well they have been playing this season.
“Overall, thought both of the boys played well,” Demaria said.
“Kye has had a good presence up in the foward line so far this season.
“And Benji Neal, well he is Mr Consistent for a reason, we know exactly what you are going to get from him every week.”
Next week, Koondrook-Barham will be having their first mandatory bye round of the season.
Demaria has said that they will not be slowing down and will be continuing to work on their tactics in training.
“We will be continuing our work in training sessions, we will also have a session on Saturday as well so there is no slowing down whatsoever,” Demaria said.
“With the new premier data, we will be seeing what we can work on in terms of theory, I think a few boys will be looking towards what they can improve on as well.
“So this bye week will be a good time for us to reassess our performances and go again for round eight.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Swan Hill | 1.3 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 6.10 | 46 |
| Koondrook-Barham | 6.8 | 12.12 | 17.17 | 24.22 | 166 |
VOTES
3 – Kye Attwell (Koondrook-Barham)
2 – Benji Neal (Koondrook-Barham)
1 – Patrick Goble (Koondrook-Barham)
