Omeo District: Swifts Creek wins first premiership since 2011

See all the pictures from Sunday’s grand final, where Swifts Creek hoisted their first Omeo District premiership cup in 12 years.

Swifts Creek premiership coach David Westland’s pre-match plans to curb Omeo-Benambra star forward Ryan Harwood was crucial in the club’s first Omeo District flag win in 12 seasons at Buchan on Saturday.

Harwood played 81 matches for Brisbane Lions between 2010 and 2017 and was drawn to high country because of his love of hunting.

He played just enough matches to qualify for finals due to being based in Queensland and missed the second semi-final against Swifts Creek that had to go to into extra time to decide the winner.

Harwood returned for the preliminary final and kicked five goals to put Swifts Creek firmly on notice heading into the grand final.

Omeo-Benambra forward Ryan Harwood marks in front of Swifts Creek’s Tom King. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Westland handed the big job of playing on Harwood to regular key defender Tom King, but some additional cover came with Zac Tactor playing as a spare backman.

The tactic worked a treat on the small Buchan ground with Harwood forced to lead wide and making the chances he did have to kick goals tough ones.

Harwood finished with 4.2 with Swifts Creek winning by 22 points.

Swifts Creek coach David Westland. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

“He is such a dangerous player, especially in this league,” Westland said.

“I thought the plans that we put in place worked really well.

“He’s still only 32 and it was really important we nullified his influence as much as possible.”

The grand final was Westland’s last in charge after previously coaching Bruthen to a premiership in 2018 against Swifts Creek.

“I’m very satisfied,” he said.

“My dad was sick with cancer and I gave it away.

“But I got the call from Swifts Creek who were in a bit of trouble.

“It took a bit of convincing because I do live in Sale.”

Swifts Creek snapped a run of four successive grand final losses to win its 29th premiership, 11.6 (72) to 7.8 (50).

The Demons started slowly against their 130-year-old “above the gap” rivals, but a brilliant four-goal burst late in the second term helped open up what tuned out to be a match-winning break.

Swifts Creek celebrates its Omeo District league grand final win over Omeo-Benambra. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Swifts Creek’s Tom Crellin won the best-on-ground medal and brother Robert kicked two important goals in the last term to snuff out any chance of an Omeo-Benambra late fightback.

The Demons’ dangerous small forwards Jamie Barton and Daniel Hayes kicked three goals each and Beau Hack, Arthur Wright and Richard Crabtree were lively players around the ground.

Swifts Creek’s Daniel Hayes celebrates one of his three goals in the grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Ross Ansaldi, Tyler Betts and James Cottrell were among the best players for Omeo-Benambra.

Cottrell’s younger brother Matthew plays for Carlton.

“We’ve taken massive steps as a club this season and it’s great to get some reward for all the effort,” he said.

“They got the jump on us last time and they are a good starting side.

“I just wanted the boys to hang tough early.

“We are a quicker side and I thought we would run over the top.”

Swifts Creek lost last year’s grand final to Lindenow South following two Covid-interrupted seasons.

Swifts Creek coach David Westland with Tom King, Daniel Hayes and Conor Harvey.

Omeo-Benambra coach Cody Graske said: “It’s a hard pill to swallow.

“We had a bit of lapse in the second quarter and that was probably the difference.”

Swifts Creek and Omeo-Benambra were grand final combatants for the first time since Omeo and Benambra merged in 2007 and won a flag in its first year as combined outfit.

Omeo and Benambra won 34 and 20 premierships respectively before merging.

Swifts Creek’s Conor Harvey and Omeo-Benambra coach Cody Graske fight for the ball.

Swifts Creek’s Jamie Barton, right, kicked three goals in the grand final.

Swifts Creek’s Mick Hayes and Omeo-Benambra’s Ross Ansaldi.

Omeo-Benambra’s Jai Hayward is pressured by Swifts Creek’s Arthur Wright.

Swifts Creek’s Tom King runs through the banner.

Swifts Creek won its first flag since 2011 on Saturday.

Swifts Creek players and support staff celebrate after the win against Omeo-Benambra.

Swifts Creek had lost four grand finals in a row before beating Omeo-Benambra on Saturday.

Swifts Creek is the 2023 ODFL premier.

Swifts Creek players savour their premiership win.

Swifts Creek beat Omeo-Benambra in the grand final.

Swifts Creek’s Tom Crellin, centre, won the medal for best player on the ground.

Swifts Creek won its 29th premiership on Saturday.

Swifts Creek players with the premiership cup.

Swifts Creek’s Beau Hack and Omeo-Benambra’s Cameron Roberts fly for the ball.

Swifts Creek’s Daniel Hayes takes a mark close to the ground.

Swifts Creek’s Beau Hack.

Swifts Creek’s Arthur Wright is tackled by Omeo-Benambra’s Ross Ansaldi.

Swifts Creek coach David Westland gives some instructions.

Swifts Creek’s Richard Crabtree tackles Omeo-Benambra’s Jacob Tomkins.

Omeo-Benambra coach Cody Graske marks strongly.

Omeo-Benambra coach Cody Graske sets himself for the mark.

Swifts Creek’s Daniel Hayes takes front of position ahead of Omeo-Benambra’s Tyler Betts.

Swifts Creek’s Conor Harvey and Omeo-Benambra’s Aiden Hayward fly over the top.

Swifts Creek’s Jamie Barton escapes the clutches of Omeo-Benambra’s Tyler Betts.

Swifts Creek’s Alastair Commins and Zac Tactor sandwich Omeo-Benambra’s Jai Hayward.

Swifts Creek’s Robbie Farnham is tackled by Omeo-Benambra’s Campbell Ahsam.

Swifts Creek’s Richard Crabtree and Daniel Hayes surround Omeo-Benambra’s Trent Heesom.