Belief key for Swans
SOUTH Barwon coach David Farrell has hailed his “special group” after the Swans blasted the GFL finals race wide open with an upset win over Colac.
The Swans’ steely inner belief came to the fore after grinding the Tigers into the ground to win by 29 points in yesterday’s elimination final at GMHBA Stadium.
After five years in the GFL wilderness, South Barwon will carry a wave of momentum into next weekend’s semifinal against St Joseph’s after the emphatic victory.
It was the Swans’ first win over a topfive side this season, despite finishing fourth on the ladder.
“I guess there is that belief, but there was certainly no lack of belief going into the game,” Farrell said.
“We had a really clear plan and the guys understand their roles and execute each week. I suppose it confirms for them what we’ve been talking about and working towards.”
Both sides swung a late change, with stars Jonty Broughton (hamstring) and Sam McLachlan (broken foot) withdrawn.
But it was South Barwon who dominated large portions of the first half.
Goals to Colac coach Kane Leersen and the impressive Zach Zdybel on the stroke of halftime turned the momentum to give the Tigers a one-point advantage at the main break.
South Barwon forward pair Andrew Boseley (three goals) and Brett Blair (four) then had influential second halves, as South Barwon started to get reward for effort on the scoreboard. Fittingly, Blair slotted a set shot from the fence line of the Gary Ablett Terrace in the shadows of full time to assure the side of a meeting with St Joseph’s next week.
“They’re a special group — they enjoy each other’s company and work for each other and there’s pretty exciting times ahead, I think,” Farrell said.
He was an interested onlooker at St Joseph’s loss to St Mary’s on Saturday, but said he would not be caught up in the St Mary’s style of play, saying “we’ve got to stick to what works for us”.
The first-year mentor said the club wanted to give Broughton until the final hour to prove his fitness.
“We honestly gave him every chance to play this week, but the advice we got was there just isn’t power in his hamstring at the moment, so it’ll be a week to week thing,” he said.