St Mary’s come back from 37 points down to win by 15 over a stagnant South Barwon

Down by 37 points and without a single forward 50 entry, a GFNL powerhouse has provided the kind of response which will have the rest of the competition on notice.

South Barwon led 37-0 in the first quarter. Picture: Mark Wilson

With South Barwon leading 37-0 and their opponents in St Mary’s without a single forward entry to almost the 10-minute mark, it looked like a matter of how far for the Swans.

Despite lacking their leading goalkickers in Jonty Broughton and Matt Caldow for the Round 5 clash at Anthony Costa Oval, the visitors produced arguably their best offensive quarter of the year.

As Fraser Fort bagged four first term majors, marking everything in sight and mobile ruckman Ben Kellett equally dominant (two goals), the Swans were well poised to inflict the Saints’ first loss of the season.

The visitors were dominating in the clinches and richly rewarded for fierce defensive pressure in its forward 50, with two six-pointers coming from holding the ball decisions via Kellett and Chris Hughes.

The Saints’ defensive exits were often rushed and imprecise and it would take until just inside 10 minutes before they enjoyed their first inside 50 through a marking Sam Dobson.

Jesse Travaglini provided plenty of drive off half back in the final quarter for St Mary’s. Picture: Mark Wilson

Crucially though, late goals through Harry McMahon and Elijah Wales would help stir the league leaders from their funk and you could sense it was the precursor to something larger down the line.

Proving why they are at the top of the GFNL ladder – accounting for their opening four games by an average margin of 86 points – the Saints duly delivered a substantial, sustained riposte, kicking 11.9 to 4.5 over the next three quarters to totally rewrite the narrative.

However, it was a revival not exactly built off multiple quick goals in succession, but a hard, concerted grind to apply increased pressure and cut down on the space they’d allowed their opponents in the opening 30 minutes.

And it came without Dobson kicking a major and Kane Loftus absent, as Matt Keast, Zak Sherman, Elijah Wales and Brayden Ham picked up two apiece.

South Barwon’s Fraser Fort was unstoppable in the opening term. Picture: Mark Wilson

The former Bomber’s set shot from the paint of 50 on the cusp of three quarter time was arguably the best of the afternoon and a major gut punch for the visitors.

While the Saints obviously outscored their opponents over three quarters, it was also a victory built on immense defence, with swingman Charlie Sprague keeping Fort goalless beyond quarter time and Michael Rudd providing elite drive with his lovely left leg.

Equally, Nick Connors’ desperation down back was typified in the closing minutes, his dive for the goal line thwarted a late major for the Swans, even when the game was done and dusted by then.

Post-match, Keast said the Swans beat them in the contest early but his teammates had remained calm amid the red, white and blue assault.

He said the midfield group put it on themselves to lift.

“We didn’t think we were up to standard,” Keast said, son of co-coach Glenn.

“We expected them to come hard and they did .. they probably caught us a bit on the back foot.

South Barwon’s Chris Hughes celebrates his first term goal. Picture: Mark Wilson

“They brought the heat early. (And) our tackle numbers were down.

“There’s never panic (though), there’s a lot of trust within each other.”

Keast singled out Connors, Rudd and Sprague for putting the clamps on the Swans.

“(Sprague) was superb taking that dangerous space,” he said.

“He can go anywhere for us. I thought he was unreal today.”

Sam Bourke’s aerial dominance was also harnessed as a spare down back late in the game to help quell Fort’s potential influence.

After quarter time, it was South Barwon who appeared a touch timid at times and dropped some regulation marks, as the Saints dialled up the defensive heat: Keast was the beneficiary of the returning Jarryd Garner’s crunching tackle on Jack Driver.

Apart from a brilliant grab to Max Mawson at half forward, which led to the Swans’ solitary goal for the quarter through Driver, there were few highlights for Mark Neeld’s men.

The Swans kept looking for Fort but he was often overwhelmed by a weight of numbers, as the Saints cleared the ball with greater ease.

Elijah Wales’ first quarter goal helped start the Saints’ comeback from 37 points down. Picture: Mark Wilson

Zak Sherman maintained the home side’s momentum in the third with a brace and posed a threat, either at ground level or in the air, as the Saints finally took the lead.

With the home team in front by just nine points at the final change, it felt like a much bigger margin, although some Harry Cunningham brilliance from the pocket gave Swans fans some hope, reducing the margin to under a straight kick.

However, with Dobson, Garner and Harry Benson influential, and the returning Jesse Travaglini continuing to provide relentless crunch off half back, the Saints maintained control.

It was fitting Travaglini would ice the game with a lovely running goal and give the Saints their fifth win in succession.

Originally published as St Mary’s come back from 37 points down to win by 15 over a stagnant South Barwon