Football
5 August, 2025
Swifts overcome slow start to beat Kalkee
The Swifts have kept their finals chances alive in men’s senior football, delivering a comprehensive win over Kalkee on Saturday in round 16 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Swifts kicked 17.13 (115) to Kalkee’s 6.8 (44).
Playing at Stawell, the home side got the better of possession and territory in the opening quarter but neither side converted any goals, with Kalkee leading 3-2 at the first break.
Swifts’ Jordan Motton finally broke through with the first goal of the day as the Stawell side quickly assumed control of the match, kicking seven goals in the quarter to lead 47-3 at half-time.
Isaiah Adams scored Kalkee’s first goal of the match early in the third but it did little to loosen the Swifts’ stronghold on the game, leading 86-23 at the final break.
A stronger effort from Kalkee saw them kick three goals in the last term but the Swifts never looked in trouble, eventually winning by 71.
Midfielder Angus Murray and halfback Joseph Martin were standouts in an impressive Swifts performance, while Doug Grining and Karl Campbell were among the best for the losing side.
Jordan Motton led the Swifts with five goals, with Todd Matthews adding four of his own, while Ben Lawson kicked two majors for the Kees.
Brett Hargreaves, coach of the Swifts, said some changes to how they attacked ignited their second quarter following their slow start.
“We had our chances to put some goals on the board in the first quarter but we just didn’t capitalise,” Hargreaves said.
“Kalkee, the intensity they played with, they were matching us, so can’t take that away from them, but we fixed a few things for that second quarter.
“We were going in too wide when we went forward so we just started to attack the corridor more, especially through the forward 50, and as soon as we started doing that our set shots were coming from more in front and we kicked seven goals that quarter.”
Hargreaves acknowledged the strong performances produced by both Murray and Martin.
“Angus Murray, he was our best player – he was everywhere,” Hargreaves said.
“He amassed a lot of possessions.
"He did a super job.
“Our second-best player was probably Joseph Martin across halfback.
“He was able to intercept marks and really just beat his opponent all day.”
The win sees Swifts equal Laharum and Kaniva Leeor with nine wins for the season, with their percentage keeping them just outside the top five.