Both Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley forgot to put their kicking boots on for the start of their clash at Edenhope on Saturday, with inaccuracy plaguing both teams.
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The team booted 13 behinds between them in the first term, with no goals scored.
Despite the sloppy start, Swifts were able to find some form and claim a crucial win.
The Saints booted two goals to Swifts' one in the second term, with the Baggies boasting an unimpressive 1.12 (18) scoreline at half-time.
"It felt like we had the ascendancy but didn't make the most of our chances," Swifts coach Scott Carey said.
"It was a lovely day for football so there were no excuses, we just rushed ourselves. The points started to create a bit of pressure and turned into a bit of a vicious cycle."
The visitors straightened up slightly in the third quarter but still trailed by one-goal going into the final term.
Despite the Saints having good recent form over the Baggies, the visitors put the foot down in the final term, with four goals to one to run out 7.18 (60) to 6.10 (46) victors.
"I was happy with the end result and that we did everything we could to stay in the game," Carey said.
"To travel to their home ground when they had a reunion with a big crowd, it is a credit to the way we hung in the match.
"When you kick that amount of points it's easy for momentum to swing the other way but we kept the pressure on and didn't let that happen."
The win takes the monkey off the back for the Baggies, who had lost three of their last four games against the Saints - including last year's elimination final.
Swifts are now one game clear in third spot.
"We don't play them again this home and away season so it is good to get one up on them," Carey said.
"We have that aim of being a top two side wins like this play a big part in achieving that.
"We haven't played the best brand of footy just yet but we are winning games which is good. We think we can turn around our form and play even better."
Carey said it was pleasing to see younger players in the team play key roles.
"Young Josh Davis was outstanding, Angus Murray came in from the reserves and contributed really well and Matt Healy did a good job in his 100th game," he said.
"He was outstanding down forward, clunking a few big marks and making his presence felt."
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