Thrills and spills at derby
Until this year, Avenel hadn’t beaten old foe Nagambie for nine years.
On Saturday, the Swans made it two from two for the season with a 24-point win against the league heavyweight, taking back top position on the ladder in the process and claiming the minor premiership.
While neither side could budge from a top-two position regardless of the result, you wouldn’t have known from watching Saturday’s battle.
Both sides brought an intensity fit for a grand final, with a 10-goal opening term spectacle setting the scene for the rest of the match.
When the two sides met earlier in the season, it was the Lakers who came out all guns blazing to lead by four goals at quarter time. But the Swans were having none of that on Saturday, booting four of the first five goals of the match to stamp their authority early.
Nagambie booted three more goals late in the quarter to rein in the Swans, who held a 13-point buffer at quarter time.
‘‘That was a focus, we really wanted to bring that intensity early in the game,’’ Avenel coach Don Stirling said.
‘‘You always want to play your best footy against better opposition, and we knew how we performed in the first quarter was a really massive key to us winning.’’
The Lakers hit back in the second term to draw the margin back to 11 points, and again in the third term when it closed the margin even further.
But, as has become a signature of the Swans’ game, the home side finished the game full of running and powered away in the final quarter to record the memorable victory.
Nagambie coach Linc Sullivan said his side made a number of skill errors, and Avenel were good enough to capitalise on them.
‘‘They obviously came out ready and raring to go and were a bit too sharp for us,’’ he said.
‘‘You never like to lose but at the end of the day they were just too good for us. They had good pressure on us, and we turned the ball over too much going forward and they got us on the counter-attack.’’
While the Lakers have so far failed to overcome the Swans in season 2016, the next time the two sides meet — in two weeks’ time in the semi-final — they will have some handy inclusions.
Marty Shadbolt, Jayden Gleeson, Danny Haysom all sat out the match with injury, but are expected to lineup in the first final.
Ruckman Steve Barber is serving a two-week suspension and won’t be eligible to play until the Lakers’ second finals appearance.
Avenel’s Nick Goodwin, who returned to the club this season after a three-year stint at Wallan, was the Swans’ best, while fellow midfielder and best and fairest winner Kasey Duncan capped off a great year for the Swans with another stellar performance.
Michael Berry, Scott Tyers and Stirling were also among the Swans’ best.
Cael McCarthy returned to form up forward to lead the way with three goals, while midfielder-cum-forward Andy Green also slotted three.
For the Lakers, it was Anthony Haysom who led the way, both on the ball and up forward. Haysom booted three goals in a best afield display for the visitors, while Kyle Winter-Irving was rewarded for some handy work in attack with two goals.
Bo Harrison and Mitch Sanderson, who played a part-time rucking role in the absence of Barber, were other standouts for Nagambie.
Score: Avenel 14.13 (97) d Nagambie 11.7 (73).
Avenel goals: C. McCarthy, A. Green 3; N. Thomas, M. Berry 2; K. Duncan, M. Morgan, M. McKenzie, P. Arandt.
Avenel best: N. Goodwin, K. Duncan, M. Berry, S. Tyers, P. Arandt, D. Stirling.
Nagambie goals: A. Haysom 3; K. Winter-Irving 2; D. Lowry, R. Misiti, H. Winter-Irving, J. Shiels, H. TaylorLloyd, B. Hutton.
Nagambie best: A. Haysom, B. Harrison, M. Sanderson, K. WinterIrving, M. Shiels, J. Sanderson.
Reserves
Nagambie continued its impressive winning streak with a 15-point triumph over rival Avenel.
The Lakers last tasted defeat on May 28, and after a slow start to the season, have hit their straps at the right time of the year.
Saturday’s win came from a good old-fashioned slog, where goals were few and far between.
Avenel looked to have the Lakers’ measure early, with a three-goal-toone opening term giving the Swans a 14-point buffer at the first change.
But Nagambie totally shut down the Swans’ scoring after quarter time, allowing the home side just two behinds for the the rest of the match.
The Lakers, on the other hand, booted a further 3.13 in the ensuing three quarters to seal victory in the low-scoring affair.
Despite the win, the Lakers couldn’t quite nudge Avenel out of third spot on the ladder. Both teams ended the season on the same number of points, but Avenel’s superior percentage kept it in third position, while Nagambie ended the year in fourth.
Nagambie’s Ben Robinson booted one goal in a best afield performance, while Alex Tattersall was also impressive for the winners.
Cal Williams, Lachie Drummond and Scott McKenzie were among Avenel’s best.
Avenel’s full bill of health made for some hard decisions on selection night, but Drummond, McKenzie and Anthony Dickinson all put in impressive performances for the Swans’ reserves on Saturday in their bid to make it back in to the senior side for finals.
Score: Avenel 3.4 (22) lt Nagambie 4.13 (37).
Avenel goals: A. Dickinson 2; C. Houghton.
Avenel best: C. Williams, L. Drummond, S. McKenzie, H. Gawne, T. Peacock, M. Cameron.
Nagambie goals: Z. Alderton, B. Robinson, L. Morrissey, R. Bazeley.
Nagambie best: B. Robinson, A. Tattersall, T. Muir, Z. Alderton, T. Bush, J. Noonan.
Thirds
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win nonetheless for finals-bound Avenel.
The Swans booted an inaccurate 6.9 for the match, but it was enough to secure an eight-point win over the Lakers.
Nagambie was out of finals contention, but that failed to deter the Lakers from putting in a spirited effort.
The visitors outscored the Swans in the opening term, before Avenel replied with a four-goal-to-one second quarter to give them a 16-point buffer at the main break.
A power of work from Jack Tattersall and Tyler Ritchie brought the Lakers back in to the match in the second half, and almost gave the Lakers an upset victory.
It wasn’t to be, however, as Swan Tylah Long put in a captain’s game to ensure his side secured the four points.
Jonty Sutherland and Jacob Nipperess joined Long as the Swans’ best, while Andrew Dowling capped off a superb season in front of goal with three majors.
Nagambie had four individual goal kickers boot a goal apiece.
Score: Avenel 6.9-45 d Nagambie 6.1 (37).
Avenel goals: A. Dowling 3; J. Nipperess 2; M. Baker.
Avenel best: T. Long, J. Sutherland, J. Nipperess, B. Tempest, D. Mendoza.
Nagambie goals: Z. Alderton, J. Shepherd 2; D. Comi, W. Ulrich.
Nagambie best: J. Tattersall, T. Ritchie, W. Ulrich, J. Wilson, Z. Alderton.