Swifts senior football coach Nigel Sibson says his side’s first win of the Horsham District league season at the weekend was ‘reward for effort’.

The Baggies travelled to play the league’s only other remaining winless team, Taylors Lake, on Saturday, emerging with a thrilling 12.16 (88) to 12.10 (82) win after a game of big momentum swings.

Sibson said the club’s 0-6 record prior to the weekend failed to truly reflect its competitiveness in most contests.

“It was a pleasing result for us after five losses in a row that were around that 20-to-25-point mark, give or take,” he said.

“We felt we’d been close and competitive in a lot of games but hadn’t been able to get over the line.”

With the Lakers, coached by Sibson’s former team-mate Lee Marshall, also desperate to break through for a win, the Baggies coach said he knew his side’s task would be difficult.

“I played a season with Lee Marshall at Great Western, so I know he’s got a fantastic footy brain and I knew they’d be a well-coached side,” he said.

The Baggies jumped out of the blocks early, leading 33-1 at quarter time, before the Lakers came roaring back to within a goal at half time.

“It was a funny game in a way, because we’ve felt for most of the season that our slow starts are what have been costing us opportunities,” Sibson said.

“It was really pleasing to see that we arrested that issue on the weekend and started really well.

“Then in the second quarter I give full credit to Taylors Lake. They really took control in the quarter and our boys had to hang on for a bit.”

With recruit Anthony Munkara in season-best form, booting five goals for the match, the Baggies re-established a 15-point lead at the final change.

But just when victory appeared certain, a long bomb from the Lakers brought the margin back to a single kick with a minute remaining.

“Fortunately we just hung on, because one of their players kicked a pretty miraculous goal from the boundary when we were two goals up,” Sibson said.

“Sometimes when goals like that happen it can be pretty lifting for a side, but we managed to dig in and hold on, which was a pleasing result.”

Sibson praised Munkara for his effort, while other standouts included Macka Padley and Jack Champion – both forced to play out of position for the shorthanded Baggies.

“Macka usually plays as a key back for us but he had to play in the ruck after we lost our two ruckmen during the week – one through illness and one through suspension,” Sibson said.

“Jack Champion usually plays in our midfield but he played a role down back and executed really well. Another big one for us was Ben Sladdin, who comes out of our junior program and has had a pretty credentialled junior career.

“He started the year in the reserves and got three best-on-grounds in a row, and put me in a position as a coach where I had to pick him going off his form.

“It was really pleasing to see someone who has come through our junior program and progress from the reserves into senior footy put in a performance like that – he was excellent.”

The weekend was also one to celebrate for Pimpinio, which upset 2025 grand finalist Noradjuha-Quantong in an impressive display.

The Tigers kicked six goals in each of the first and last quarters to bookend a 15.14 (104) to 11.7 (73) victory, blowing the Bombers away in the final quarter after trailing by a point at the final change.

Reigning Dellar medalist Matt Rosier played to his usual brilliant standard for Pimpinio, with other standouts including Austin Simpson with three goals and Rosier’s co-coach Cullen Williams.

Bomber defender Dyson Parish and five-goal forward Dylan Shelley did their best, but could not stem the Pimpinio onslaught in the final quarter.

The annual Battle of the Rocks Indigenous round game between Laharum and Natimuk United saw the hometown Demons demolish the visitors 17.15 (117) to 1.4 (10).

Laharum forward Jack Fenner was a worthy best-on-ground medalist after kicking 10 goals, with Josh Hutchinson, Monty Wynne and Daniel Easson also among the best.

Harrow-Balmoral took care of business against Kalkee, overcoming a 15-point deficit at half time to win 13.12 (90) to 7.5 (47).

Kee forward Tanner Smith kicked four goals but was shut out in the second half, with Roo coach Jai Thompson turning in a best-on-ground effort in the win.

Kaniva-Leeor United dominated Rupanyup in the final match of the round, winning 18.11 (119) to 6.9 (45), with midfielder Tyler Roos three goals in an impressive display. 

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