Baggies quietly rising
Swifts will face a Horsham District league litmus test when they host 2018 grand finalist Kalkee at Stawell’s North Park on Saturday.
The Baggies have quietly risen to third on the ladder after a round one loss to Natimuk United.
Since then the team has recorded commanding victories against Noradjuha-quantong, Pimpinio and, at the weekend, Taylors Lake.
The Baggies’ percentage of 202.68 is the second best in the league behind reigning premier Harrow-balmoral.
Swifts got an early break on Taylors Lake at the weekend, registering 16 scoring shots to four in the first half after keeping the Lakers scoreless in the first quarter.
Ruckman Brett Hargreaves was instrumental in the 18.16 (124) to 6.7 (43) win, kicking two goals and giving his midfielders first use of the ball.
Matt Healy, Todd Matthews and Jakob Salmi also shone for Swifts, while Trae Martin continued his impressive start to the season for Taylors Lake.
Kalkee will be Swifts’ biggest test of the season so far.
The Kees were less than convincing in a first round loss to Harrow-balmoral and subsequent narrow wins against Rupanyup and Taylors Lake, but appeared to be rounding into form
in a 15.12 (102) to 7.9 (51) win against Laharum at the weekend.
Kalkee gained the ascendancy in the second quarter after a relatively even first. Midfielders Hamish Exell and Simon Hobbs led the way for the Kees, the latter booting two goals in a best on ground performance.
Jayden Kuhne slotted six goals to lead an effective Kalkee forward line.
For the Mountain Men, ruckman Jed Mcconville was a standout and key forward Tom Crawford booted four goals.
Laharum must now regroup to face Harrow-balmoral, which posted a 33-point win against Edenhope-apsley at the weekend.
The Roos’ premiership defence is off to the perfect start and the Mountain Men will be hard-pressed to stay with the Roos, even on their home deck at Cameron Oval.
Natimuk United survived in a thrilling three-point win against Noradjuhaquantong at the weekend, 13.6 (84) to 12.9 (81).
The Rams now face the foundering Pimpinio Tigers, who could only record one goal against Jeparit-rainbow in a 154-point loss.
A win and possible percentage boost would see the Rams maintain their unbeaten start to the season and give them an early leg up in the top six race.
In other round five games Edenhopeapsley will host Rupanyup at Edenhope and Taylors Lake will travel to Jeparit for a clash with Jeparit-rainbow.
Noradjuha-quantong has a bye.