Swan Hill’s season came to an abrupt end as Balranald handed them a 73-point hiding to end their finals dream.
In what turned out to be coach Cal Beasy’s last game in charge, the Swans were no match for the rampaging Roos, who bounded away to win 18.18 (126) to 7.11 (53).
Balranald played with finals-like intensity, such was their ferocity at the ball, in what was a perfect tune-up for this Saturday’s qualifying final against Woorinen at Lalbert.
The Roos led by 21 points at the first break after kicking the opening four goals, while a wasteful Swan Hill kicked six straight behinds.
Swans star Matthew Wade did his best to keep his team in the contest, but the weight of numbers against him eventually told, as Ethan Gant, Matt Neagle and Kobe Lloyd all found plenty of the ball for the Roos.
Balranald’s tall forwards were always going to provide the undersized Swans defence with headaches, and so it proved with Ben Fuller and Jarryd Stead dominant in the air, with 10 of the team’s 18 goals for the match coming from marks inside 50.
The same couldn’t be said for Swan Hill, however, who were devoid of a key marking target in attack and instead relied on Jose Miliado to push forward and create opportunities.
Miliado finished the day with four goals to be among Swan Hill’s better players, along with the irrepressible Wade, who played almost a lone hand out of the centre square for the Swans.
Toby Thoolen battled manfully in the ruck against Braden Price, Nathan Ablett and Jordan Wilkins, with both Ablett and Wilkins returning from injury.
Ablett also pushed forward and was a solid contributor, while Wilkins threw a scare into Balranald fans when he left the field nursing his injured elbow in the third term, only to return and play out the match in the final quarter.
Jaxon Neagle continued his good form across half back and provided plenty of drive from defence alongside Jack Salau and Harrison Soraggi.
While Balranald had winners all over the ground, it was Gant, Colin Andrews, Jydon Neagle and the Lloyd brothers Kobe and Drew who had the biggest impact through the middle.
With no fresh injuries and a return to the winner’s list, Balranald appear to be serious contenders for the first time in over a decade.
For the Swans, it wasn’t an ideal finish to what has been an otherwise solid 2023 campaign, but the development of youngsters Lachlan Vrolijks, Seamus Doherty and Sonny Beasy indicates incoming coach Michael Herlihy will have plenty to work with over the coming years.
VOTES
3 – Jaxon Neagle (Balranald)
2 – Kobe Lloyd (Balranald)
1 – Ethan Gant (Balranald)
