A determined Irymple – bolstered with the inclusion of coach Donato Deangelis after injury – took the Sunraysia League game away from Imperials with a strong display on Saturday.
De Angelis went to full forward where he was picked up by Brendan Rhodes while Nick Coghlan played well up the ground as did Reece Knights.
This left DeAngelis in a one-on-one forward structure meant real danger for Imperials.
DeAngelis kicked two in the first quarter, two in the second and two in the third.
The Swallows won the toss and kicked with the breeze while Brodie Honson was a late inclusion for the Swallows and he went into defence to mind Imperials main forward Daniel Hickey.
Irymnple wasted opportunities but led 5.7 to 2.1 at the first change.
In the second quarter Imperials got back into the match quickly when Brendan Clohesy kicked two goals to bring his tally to three.
But with Shane Crossling doing better than big Darren Atkinson, Irymple continued to control the ball around the midfield.
The Swallows sealed the game in the third term with another two goals to DeAngelis and some great work around the ground by Nathan Hamence, Michael Condidorio and
Thomas Payne.
The Swallows probably should have won by more – it was a case of 36 scoring shots to 19.
At half time the Swallows led 8.11 to 5.6
First quarter: Irymple 5.7; Imperials 2.1
Second quarter: Irymple 8.11; Imperials 5.6
Third quarter : Irymple 13.16; Imperials 7.6
Final scores: Irymple 16.20 (116) defeated Imperials 10.9 (69)
A winning midfield let Wentworth take control in the second quarter in the game against Mildura at the George Gordon Oval at Dareton.
The Demons registered goals from Anthony Mathews and Jake Anstey in the first quarter, which was even and exciting with the Roos in front by a point at the first change.
It was in the second term that Bernard Rigby and James Watt found the open spaces and the home side attacked to get the ball down quickly to the fast leading Wade Hancock and the terribly strong Justin Clay.
The Roos kicked 6.6 to Mildura’s 1.1 and the game and a finals chance were slipping away from the Demons quickly.
Late in the second term goals to Phil Byrnes and Colin Andrews gave the home side a handy lead.
The second half was all Wentworth which had Bernard Rigby in control mid-field while Austin Rigby had Anthony Mathews contained and Jake Anstey was having trouble slipping away from Carmelo Lando.
Wade Hancock was smart around goals and finished three for the day, as did Colin Andrews and Justin Clay.
First quarter: Wentworth 2.3; Mildura 2.2
Second quarter: Wentworth 8.9; Mildura 3.3
Third quarter: Wentworth 12.13; Mildura 4.5
Final scores: Wentworth 16.15 (111) defeated Mildura 5.6 (36)
South Mildura was unconvincing in the game against bottom side Red Cliffs in the Sunraysia League game at number three oval on Saturday.
The Bulldogs made a late change with Andrew Willison (knee) replaced by Sam Boag.
The Tigers were unchanged but lost Josh Wethers with a collarbone injury in the first two minutes and he was off to Hospital for X-rays and treatment.
The home side was given the lead with three first quarter goals by the elusive Zane Taylor but late in the term the Tigers got two goals from Brad Mentiplay, who was playing forward with Mick Faulkhead in the midfield.
In the second term against the breeze the Bulldogs attacked quickly for Hayden Cook to goal.
No to be outdone some great work by Mitch Dunstan led to a Tiger goal but the Bulldogs went into the half time break with a 25 point advantage.
In the third quarter the Tigers kept plugging away with a four goal term and at the final change the margin was 22 points.
Denny Fox kicked a goal as soon as the last quarter began but the Tigers replied with a goal to Tristan Stephens.
The last quarter was even with both sides kicking three goals for the term.
First quarter: South Mildura 4.5; Red Cliffs 2.1
Second quarter: South Mildura 8.7; Red Cliffs 4.6
Third quarter: South Mildura 11.13; Red Cliffs 8.9
Final scores: South Mildura 14.14 (98) defeated Red Cliffs 11.9 (75)
The most interest in the game between Merbein and Robinvale was speculation that the Eagle spearhead Brad O’Connor could get 13 goals to bring up his century for the season.
O’Connor had six goals up to half time and got three more in the third term as the Eagles kicked eight goals in the first, 12 goals in the second and six in the third.
The Magpies had made nine changes at the Thursday selection table and a 10th change came just before the game as Mark Duscher (groin) did not play.
The Eagles totally eclipsed Merbein with the Magpies scoreless in the first and third terms.
In the last quarter the Eagles looked for O’Connor up forward and his four goal haul gave him 13 goals for the day and his century tally for the season.
First quarter: Robinvale 8.5: Merbein 0.0
Second quarter: Robinvale 20.7; Merbein 1.1
Third quarter: Robinvale 26.15; Merbein 1.1
Final score: Robinvale 32.20 (212) defeated Merbein 3.1 (19)
LADDER: Robinvale 64; Wentworth 48, Imperials 40, Irymple 36, South Mildura 32, Mildura 28, Merbein 8, Red Cliffs 0.