Omeo District, Wimmera: Swan Reach records first win since player points controversy

The drought is over for Swan Reach after a tumultuous 2023 when it came unstuck with a major player points breach. Catch up on the latest country footy results.

Swan Reach broke through for its first win in the Omeo District league on Saturday since midway through last year when its season came crashing down with a major player points breach.

It had four players with incorrect points allocations in all its early season wins and was stripped of premiership points from matches those players took the field in.

Swan Reach went from top to bottom of the ladder and didn’t win another match.

Former Lindenow South player Max Solomon starred for Swan Reach. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Under new coach Will Carter, Swan Reach suffered two 100-point plus defeats in the first three matches, but ended the suffering with a 71-point win against Buchan.

It piled on seven goals to three in the first quarter and led by 10 goals at halftime.

Max Solomon kicked seven goals in his first match in a month.

Albert Wright played a starring role as did Michael Hayes, Zac Ballard and captain Reece Cunningham.

The breakthrough win has put a big dent in Buchan’s fading hopes of playing finals this season.

WIMMERA

Ararat stumbled to its second loss of the season on Saturday to Horsham Demons amid some post match drama with the scoreboard displaying the incorrect score at the final siren.

It showed the reigning premiers in front by three points before the two goal umpires met and agreed that the Demons were victorious by two.

As a result, Ararat slipped from top spot and was replaced by Southern Mallee Thunder which easily accounted for Warrack Eagles by 97 points.

The Demons jumped to fourth spot with Kalkee recruit Jasper Gunn dominating the match along with Brody Pope, Billy Carberry and Jordan Motton, who kicked four goals.

Stawell came from a goal down at three quarter time to beat Horsham Saints by four points to remain two wins clear in third spot.

Stawell ruckman Josh Fowkes returned on Saturday against Horsham Saints. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Injured ruckman Josh Fowkes played his first match since early May to be among Stawell’s best players along with Cody Driscoll, who booted six goals.

Nhill replaced Minyip-Murtoa in the top five with a 27-point win in the crucial match between the two teams.

CENTRAL MURRAY

Cohuna Kangas upset flag contender Balranald by 11 points to remain an outside chance of sneaking into finals.

The Kangas had only won three of its first nine matches and only hit the front in the last term.

They trailed by 16 at halftime and trimmed the deficit to seven at the last change before kicking three goals to none in the final quarter against last year’s runner-up.

Balranald coach Jydon Neagle has missed the last two matches that his team has lost. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Chris Anderson, who missed seven rounds before returning three weeks ago, starred for the Kangas along with vice-captains Daniel Coates and Jackson Williams and captain Joel Helman.

Matthew and Jaxon Neagle were named in Balranald’s best players, but older brother and coach Jydon Neagle has missed the last two matches.

After back-to-back losses to Nyah Nyah West United and Cohuna Kangas, Balranald slipped to fourth, six points behind Mallee Eagles, who beat fifth-placed Woorinen by 25 points.

205cm ruckman Jai Middleton starred for the Eagles.