Benalla blown away by Swans despite solid start

Benalla was right in the contest during the opening term, with returning Saint Nick Warnock and new recruit Nathan Wright, a Gold Coast Suns Academy graduate, accounting for the side’s three goals, matching the Swans effort and trailing by just three points at the first break.

But the second term saw the Swans widen the gap, recording 12 scoring shots in a six-goal quarter, while Benalla could muster just 2.2 in reply, entering the rooms at half time 31 points in arrears.

While the Saints remained within striking distance at the main break, the third term saw the Swans deliver a hammer blow, putting eight goals on the board while keeping Benalla to just two behinds, as the margin ballooned out to 80 points by the final change.

Benalla rallied to put together a much more competitive final term, but the damage had already been done, with the Swans claiming a percentage-boosting win to get their season underway.

The top shelf talent at Benalla shouldered the load once again, with Mark Marriott, Chris Welsh and Sam Begley named among the best, as was Charlie McCarthy.

One positive to emerge from the contest was the form of Wright, who bagged four goals on debut for the club to also be named among the better contributors for the Saints and should continue to provide a solid presence in attack moving forward.

Young guns Max Cullen, Cooper Gracie and Ryley Ely all slotted into the round one side after spending time at Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray League, and will continue to grow as they gain more senior experience.

Benalla will look for a more consistent four quarter performance this weekend in the club’s first home game of the year, although coming up against 2024 runners up Shepparton - who are riding high off the back of a 101-point demolition of Tatura – is a tough ask.