A SECOND-HALF masterclass from small forward Tom Pontell steered Swan Hill to an upset 11-point win over Balranald on Saturday.
The Swans have been struggling of late to find avenues to goal, highlighted by their 2.3.15 performance against Cohuna the week before – but they finally found a point of difference in attack as Pontell slotted five goals, including two in the last quarter, to nail shut the Roos finals hopes.
“Pontell was great, I’m not sure how many he kicked, but I’m sure he’ll let us know about it,” Swans coach Darcy Ryan said.
“We were probably a bit top heavy at times, and when the rain came, we decided we wanted a bit more speed up there.
“It has been a tough few weeks, but we thought if we could control the little things we’re probably actually at the same level as Balranald.”
It was a tight affair all day, with the margin never exceeding 15 points.
The rain came midway through the third quarter, and the Swans handled the conditions better, with skipper Matthew Wade stepping up after a quiet first half by his lofty standards.
The upset 11.8 .74 to 9.9.63 result leaves the Roos only a mathematical chance of making the finals on a highly disappointing day for the club, especially after a promising start kicking the first two goals of the game.
Lachlan Joyce was the man that got the Swans rolling, kicking their first two and bringing the margin back to a point at the first change.
The Roos got on top early in the second quarter dominating the centre clearances as Ryan Middlebrook and Jydon Neagle threatened to break the game open.
The Swans had different ideas, however, and slowly found a way to get back to even around the contest and managed to be down by only a kick at the main break.
It was goal for goal between Pontell and Roos full forward Ben Fuller in the third quarter, which left the scores level at three-quarter time.
Both Ryan and Roos coach Ben Mahon attempted to fire their men up in their final addresses as Ryan reminded his charges of the significance of the day.
“It was a big day for the footy club with Brian Burke’s 300th – which is a massive achievement, and we just dug deep for it – especially when the rain came, which suited our game style,” he said.
It appeared both rev-ups worked as the intensity lifted a couple of notches in a heated last quarter.
The Swans twice got out to a two-goal buffer before the Roos pegged them back.
Roos young star Drew Lloyd imposed himself on the contest in a fantastic last quarter, but it was all about Tom Pontell.
With only a couple minutes left and a three-point lead, the number 11 wheeled onto his right foot after marking 50 out on a 45-degree angle and rammed home his fifth to seal the deal.
Besides the standout in Pontell, it was an even performance from the Swans with Xavier Moloney, Darby Meney, Wade and Luke Phelan among their best.
Phelan returned from injury this week, and Ryan was more than pleased to have him back out there.
“He brings a lot of effort and intensity, so it’s terrific to have him back and going through the midfield rotations,” he said.
Jack Salau, Middlebrook and Neagle were the best for the Roos, with skipper Neagle finishing with four goals.
The Roos are now six points adrift of finals-bound Lake Boga with only two games left.
They will need to win their remaining games against NNW and Tyntynder and hope the Magpies lose to both Mallee Eagles and Tooleybuc Manangatang at home to make it.
The Swans have another winnable game next week against Tooleybuc Manangatang before finishing their season at Kerang the following Saturday.
