Sport

20 August, 2024

Lions end Swans’ winning run

HARCOURT 7.8 (50) def NATTE BEALIBA 5.11 (41)

By Michael Thompson

Lions end Swans’ winning run - feature photo

Harcourt spoiled the undefeated season of Natte Bealiba with a nine-point victory at Harcourt Recreation Reserve.

While the result wasn’t influential in shaping the outcome of the minor premiership race, with the Swans having more than enough in reserve to take that battle, Harcourt served a reminder that they are well and truly in the frame for a hat-trick of premierships with a great second half performance to overhaul the Swans.

Regardless of the result, it was still a special day for Natte Bealiba, who celebrated Stephen Ross breaking the Swans’ games record with his 366th outing for the club.

The Swans peppered the goals early, but could only manage three behinds. Harcourt, in the meantime, kicked the opening goal, with good vision from Jed Rodda setting up Braydon Vaz for an easier shot at goal, which he duly converted.

The Swans responded in kind through Jordi Cossar, and it was a three-point Natte Bealiba lead at the first change.

Scoring continued to stay at a premium in the second term. Jye Mortlock kicked the first goal for the Swans to extend the lead to eight points, but some clever play from Nathan Anderson set up Rodda, who answered for the Lions.

Will Holt restored the cushion for the Swans, who went into half time 10 points up.

It was Thomas Walters and Ben Leech who sparked the Lions coming out of the sheds for the third term.

First, some great hands from Leech helped set the Lions captain up for a dribbling goal, before Walters returned the favour in kind with a crucial centre clearance from the bounce, setting up Leech for his first.

That would help Harcourt hit the front, but at the 15-minute mark, some clever play from Cossar helped set up Emmet Smith, who soccered through a goal to restore the Swans’ lead.

Late in the term, Vaz would kick his second — it was a lead the Lions would not relinquish for the remainder of the afternoon, despite the closeness of the game.

The final term was Leech’s. The crafty small forward kicked the first goal of the term to extend the lead to 11 points, before a terrific clearance out of congestion allowed him to kick his third, extending the lead to 17 points.

Smith created a nervous finish with a goal from a set shot for his second, but the Lions held on to take a nine-point win.

Walters was inspirational through the middle, and was a deserved best-on-ground. Around him, however, Cameron Anderson and Mark Noonan worked hard in the coalface, while Alex Code, Leech and Trent Leech were also terrific.

For the Swans, Austin McKenzie was able to take the ruck battle in a terrific duel with Jordan Gartside, while Jai Howell continued his good form. Daniel Vadala, Bailey Jacobs, Mortlock and Joshua Grant were also named in the best.

Both teams will look to secure preliminary final berths in the first week of finals next week, with the Swans taking on Lexton at Princes Park, while Harcourt meet Trentham at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.

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