Gun South Barwon midfielder Sam James has lauded the performance of Jonty Broughton after a six-goal performance that has kept alive the finals hopes of the previous two years’ runner-up.
Broughton earned a recall from a two-week stint in the reserves after captain Matt Caldow was a late withdrawal with hamstring awareness and spearheaded the Swans to a 51-point win over fellow finals contenders Colac at McDonald Reserve, 18.9 (117) to 9.12 (66).
He kicked two goals in the opening quarter to help South open up a 25-point lead at the first change, and two majors in the third quarter as the home team pulled away from the visitors, who had cut the margin to three points by half-time.
“He’s a bit of an X factor,” James said of Broughton. “He doesn’t have to have a lot of possessions to impact the game.
“But, yesterday, he came back and kicked six for us, which was massive for the win.
“He was superb.”
South Barwon also went into the clash without reigning Mathieson medallist Doyle Madigan, while Colac was without star ruck Zach Zdybel.
Zdybel’s absence allowed Swans ruck Ben Kellett to give his midfield first use of the ball throughout the afternoon.
Despite the win, South remains outside of the top five by half a game.
The Swans need to take care of St Albans in the final round, and hope one of St Mary’s, Colac or Bell Park loses for it to snatch an elimination final berth.
If all three lost to Newtown & Chilwell, Grovedale, and Leopold, respectively, South would find itself in a qualifying final.
However, James says the first order of business is beating the Supersaints.
“We obviously still need to get the job done against St Albans; they’ve had a really positive season,” he said.
“We won’t take that side lightly or anything like that.
“We need to get the job done on our end first, and hopefully, everything else just takes care of itself.”
Young defender Tom Bartlett again impressed for South Barwon, with Fraser Fort again passing 50 goals after kicking three majors.
Adam Garner, Kane Smartt, and the returning Darcy Lang each kicked two goals for Colac, with veteran Jarryn McCormack and Leigh Gorwell among its best players.
The Tigers need to beat Grovedale in the final round to confirm their return to the finals.
They could book a qualifying final meeting with St Joseph’s if Newtown & Chilwell overcome St Mary’s.
However, an upset win by Grovedale, and victories for the Saints, Bell Park, and South Barwon, would see Colac drop out of the top five.
Bell Park maintained fifth spot on the ladder following a 72-point result against Grovedale at Burdoo Reserve, 20.10 (130) to 8.10 (58).
Jack Sarcevic’s recent run of good form continued, kicking five goals, with Mitch Mahady returning from being managed to contribute three majors.
In his second appearance for the Tigers, Nathan Kreuger kicked three goals, while fellow former AFL Cat Cooper Whyte impressed in his first appearance for Grovedale since 2021.
Newtown & Chilwell will be playing for their first minor premiership in 40 years in the final round after taking care of Lara by 156 points at Lara Recreation Reserve.
Mitch Dodos and Connor Fopiani each kicked seven goals as the Eagles romped to a 28.24 (192) to 5.6 (36) result.
A win over St Mary’s to end the home-and-away season will give Newtown & Chilwell two cracks at playing in their first grand final since 2015.
Captain Sam Purdy kicked two majors for the Cats.
Connor Giddings all but secured the GFNL goalkicking award, as Leopold handed North Shore a 183-point hiding at Leopold Memorial Park.
Giddings kicked 11 goals, taking his season tally to 65, 13 clear of South Barwon’s Fraser Fort.
However, despite the 33.28 (226) to 6.7 (43) result, the two-time reigning premier’s hopes of a hat-trick of flags have been dashed.
The Lions remain six points outside of the top five with one round remaining.
In his final home game before joining Bellarine club Portarlington as coach, Sam Scott kicked five goals, while Nic Ash celebrated his midweek re-signing with four majors.
St Mary’s overcame Geelong West by 47 points at West Oval to hold third spot ahead of a mouthwatering Round 18 match-up with ladder leader Newtown & Chilwell.
Star Saint Paddy Dowling kicked four goals as the Saints ran out winners, 14.10 (94) to 7.5 (47).
Lachie Horniblow finished with four majors for the Giants. He now has 47 goals for the season.
St Joseph’s made a top-three finish a certainty thanks to a 56-point victory over St Albans at Drew Oval.
The Joeys overcame an early challenge from the Supersaints to claim a 17.18 (120) to 9.10 (64) result.
Paddy De Grandi kicked three goals for St Joseph’s, while St Albans re-signing Tom Higgins’ four goals, taking him to 49 for the season.
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