Swifts were made to work hard in their five-point win over Natimuk United on Saturday.
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The Baggies trailed at every break, before storming home to a 12.8.80 to 11.9.75 victory.
The Rams kicked four goals to Swifts’ two to jump out to an early 14-point quarter-time lead.
Swifts were able to cut the margin slightly to trail by eight-points at the main break.
Natimuk extended its lead to 15-points by the final break, but the Baggies were persistent with their pressure and did not allow the lead to blow out any further.
Swifts coach Scott Carey said he was proud of the way his team battled when they were losing.
“I am enormously pleased with how we played,” he said.
“We picked up the defensive pressure in the last quarter and were able to make it into a contest and lock down their scoring opportunities.
“We let them get easy goals at times but we worked hard to make sure we hit the scoreboard.”
Andrew Cameron was “pivotal”, kicking five-goals for the Baggies to take his season tally to 34.
Ben Taylor was named as Swifts’ best for the third consecutive week.
Carey said he was impressed by the efforts of some of his younger players.
“Adrian Reid had a tagging role on their coach and he was outstanding negating him all day,” he said.
“Liam Scott probably played his best game for the club, and Angus Murray keeps improving every week.
“Andrew (Cameron) was so important for us. His leadership in the forward line helps our young guys a lot.”
Jake Goodes and Nick Pickering were also among the best for Swifts.
Carey said the side escaped the game without any major injury concerns, only soreness from a tough game.
The Baggies broke away from the bottom half of the competition with the win, currently sitting in fourth with five wins.
Laharum are the only other side with five wins, but sit below Swifts with a worse percentage.
Carey said the win was “massive” for his team.
“We marked it as a danger game that could impact our season either way,” he said.
“We are in the hunt for the rest of the season now.”
Swifts face a massive test against second-placed Harrow Balmoral next weekend.
The Kangaroos have the highest percentage in the league, and have only lost one game so far.
