AUSTRALIAN RULES
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Mudgee Black Swans’ hopes of a top four finish in the Central West AFL reserve grade competition received a shot in the arm following their thrilling nine-point win over Dubbo Demons.
The Black Swans were coming off a big loss the week before but hoped for a much better performance against the Demons, who sat one above on the competition ladder.
Mudgee led at each break to run out winners, 12.12 (84) to 11.9 (75).
For the first time this season, the Black Swans had a large panel to choose from with Dan Watters and Joe Cook the only two regular names missing from the team sheet.
Dubbo also travelled well with numbers on the reserves bench.
The home side were a bit slow to start, trailing the Demons two goals to one early in the first quarter but got going to lead at quarter-time by 11 points.
Jay Waite filled in as coach for the absent Greg Dowker and gave the boys encouragement at the first break to keep the pressure on.
This translated to the home side doubling up on their score to take a 20-point lead into half-time, 8.6 (54) to 5.4 (34).
The premiership quarter – third quarter - saw the Demons strike back, closing the gap between the teams to 13 points at the final break.
Dubbo kept on adding the pressure in the fourth quarter but the Black Swans defence stood strong thanks to hard work by Will Wakeling, Curtis Turner, Brenton Clarkson and club debutant Paul Cottam.
Mudgee’s best on ground Matt Harrington was strong as always in the midfield alongside Eli Parker, and Ben Stewart added four goals to his goal tally for the season.
The trio worked the ball forward to goal scorers Colm Foran (three goals), Keegan Hayes (two goals), Jay Waite (two goals) and Greg Reid.
The win closes the gap between the Black Swans and the Demons to four points on the competition ladder but it did have a sting in its tail with Ben Stewart likely to miss the remainder of the competition because of a broken hand he suffered in the third quarter.
An injury cloud also hangs over Colm Foran, with the forward injuring ligaments in his ankle.
Mudgee host the competition leading Orange Tigers next week in what will be an important game for the club’s hopes for qualifying to play in the finals.
MUDGEE BLACK SWANS 12.12 (84) (Ben Stewart 4, Colm Foran 3, Keegan Hayes 2, Jay Waite 2, Greg Reid goals) def DUBBO DEMONS 11.9 (75) (Noel McGrath 3, Andrew Pearson 2, Corey Williams 2, Trevor Dutschke, Michael Haley, Dane Cooper, Adam Barraclough goals).