CKS Swifts fought back from a six-goal margin to steal the points following their Horsham District League clash against Taylors Lake.
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Swifts were still heavily undermanned, but welcomed back captain Scott Carey, ruckman Matt Healy and power forward Tim Friend.
Friend has had a quiet couple of games in the Swifts colours, but he lifts the young players around him and it was no different in Saturday’s match.
The win was an important one for Swifts as it keeps their hopes of playing finals alive.
Coach Paul Hanns said he was aware of how hard it would be for the Swifts to challenge for the title from their current position on the ladder.
“We have to win every game from here to be a chance,” Hanns said.
“Even then our destiny is left in other’s hands. But one way or another we want to finish our season on a high.”
Swifts had a long debrief on Thursday night and the improvement on the training track and again during their clash on Saturday proved their season is not finished yet.
Being down by six goals midway through the third quarter would have seen most clubs give up, but Swifts were able to kick five unanswered goals to close the gap before the final break.
Swifts went goal for goal with Taylors Lake in the final term before breaking the shackles and kicking two majors in a row.
Sean Mantell was able to kick the winning goal in a creditable performance after he held a heavy tag for the majority of the day.
Deek Roberts was impressive for Taylors Lake despite being tagged by Nick Pickering for the majority of the day.
Roberts kicked five goals.
Mantell got less of the football than he normally would, but was able to have an impact when it counted.
With Friend and Healy back into the team, Andrew Cameron was given room to move and benefited, kicking eight goals.
Hanns said the chat that the club had on Thursday night marked a turning point in their season.
Swifts won the under 17s and under 14s matches, but were easily defeated in the reserves match.
Kyle Ryan was a standout in the under 17s match, kicking 12 goals.