Sport
15 May, 2025
Swifts bounce back with dominant win
Five goals from Jordan Motton and Ryan Folkes have led the Swifts senior football side to a dominant win over Kalkee at the Kalkee Recreation Reserve in round five of the Horsham District Football Netball League on Saturday, May 10.
After losing to Laharum last week, the Baggies came out firing in the first quarter, kicking six goals to one to lead by 33 points at quarter-time.
The first goal of the game came within 10 seconds with Brett Hargreaves tapping the ball to Ryan Folkes who took a bounce and kicked truly from the fifty-meter arc.
The midfield was on fire, and the run was fierce as the Baggies put on another seven goals to one in the second term to lead by 70 points at half-time.
The Kees brought the heat in the third quarter, kicking three goals and limiting the Baggies to three, as the Baggies took a 73-point lead into the final change.
Fired up from coach Brett Hargreaves at three-quarter-time, the Baggies ran the game out strong, kicking another seven goals to three to win by 94 points, 23.11.149 to 8.7.55.
Chris Freeman chipped in with four goals and Cameron Wickham also kicked two as the Baggies scored their highest total for the year.
Brett Hargreaves was dominant in the ruck, with Sean Mantell, Angus Murray and Todd Matthews also solid throughout the game.
The Baggies now move to second on the ladder, equal on wins with Noradjuha Quantong, Harrow Balmoral and Pimpinio.
Baggies coach Brett Hargreaves said it was great that the boys played selflessly.
“The willingness to share the football with handballing, and putting immense pressure on Kalkee was great,” Hargreaves said.
“The game was put to bed at half-time and we had their measure in the first half, and then the foot came off the pedal in the last half, but we were still running, which is a great sign.
“They had a fair few out as well, so it wasn’t the strongest Kalkee side, but I am pleased with how the boys played.”
The question at the start of the season was how the Baggies would replace Paul Summers and Matthew Healy, but Jordan Motton has come into the side and has never looked out of place, kicking 18 goals in the first five rounds.
“Jordan has been good and is providing a good target up forward and he is rarely beaten,” Hargreaves said.
“When he can’t mark, he is getting the ball to the ground which players like Cam Wickham have been able to scoop up and kick goals, and it’s helped us set up more goals.”
The Baggies now host unbeaten Harrow Balmoral at North Park on Saturday in a grand final rematch.
Harrow Balmoral still has key personnel injured. Simon Close and Matthew Close are out long-term, while Matt Jones is also one week away.
Hargreaves knows now is the time to strike and is confident that with a full-strength team, they can hand Harrow Balmoral their first loss in 40 games.
“This is our best chance of defeating them and we are going to go out there with great confidence,” Hargreaves said.
“We played good on the weekend and if we can repeat that, then we are in with a good chance.
“Winning for them is a habit, and they don’t know how to lose and the last three weeks there has been a lot of teams knocking at the door, but they can’t get there, and fingers crossed our boys can and finish it off.”
In the absence of Rhys Daffey, Nick Pekin and Simon and Michael Close, the Southern Roos have been finding ways to goal with Cody Deutscher the man on fire with 18 goals in four games.
“He is one of the main ones we need to watch,” Hargreaves said.
“Mack Padley will be the standout option for him being the right size. We also have other options and know there are other key players to watch out for.
“We are going to give it a good crack.”