Just as the Demons seemed poised to run away with the game the Baggies broke through, with Cameron Wickham defying the muddy conditions to snap a classy goal.
Wickham had a chance to add a second less than two minutes later after drawing high contact in the goal square, but the ball, heavy with rain and mud, failed to carry over the man on the mark on the subsequent free kick.
However at the ensuing stoppage, Laharum co-coach Shannon Argall punched the ball through the Baggies’ goals on the full in an attempt to concede a behind, giving the visitors another chance from directly in front that Noah Stirling made no mistake in converting.
While consecutive goals gave the Baggies a brief glimmer of hope, Laharum was quick to snuff it out.
The Demons added another goal before half time and three more in the third term to give themselves a lead that, amid the conditions, was virtually unassailable.
Argall, midfielder Daniel Easson and full back Alec McCallum were all excellent for Laharum, with Yates, Riley Lenehan and Ryan Thomas kicking two goals each in a diversified forward attack.
For Swifts, full back Jesse Galea-Portelli defended well with the ball in his area of the ground for much of the afternoon, with fellow defenders Joseph Martin, Bourke Nicholls and Ben Boatman also standing up under pressure.
The Baggies now trail fifth-placed Kaniva-Leeor United by four premiership points after the Cougars downed Taylors Lake 16.18 (114) to 9.8 (62) at Dock Lake Reserve.
Leading the way for the visitors was Lochie Eats at half forward, while his brother Jacob and captain Jock Maddern kicked five goals apiece.
Bray Cullinan and Billy Finnigan were best for the Lakers, with only Alex Baker managing multiple goals.
While the Cougars are in the top five for now, they could be leapfrogged this weekend with a bye if Swifts record a big win against Kalkee.
The Kees are coming off a spirited two-goal loss to top-three side Pimpinio on Saturday, leading at quarter time before eventually succumbing to an effort led by Tigers Matt Rosier, Brock Hamerston and brothers Adam and Jason Westley, the latter of whom kicked a game-high three goals in the 7.6 (48) to 5.6 (36) result.
Best for Kalkee were Karl Campbell and Patrick Mills, with Ben Lawson and coach Andy Devereaux each kicking two goals.
Noradjuha-Quantong was in no mood to waste time against Edenhope-Apsley, jumping to a 58-point lead in the first quarter as it went on to win 29.17 (191) to 4.1 (25).
The Bombers had winners all over the ground in the rout, with captain Dylan Shelley kicking seven goals, Jye Walter slotting five and Declan Phyland booting four of his own in a best-on-ground effort.
Conversely there were few standouts for the Saints, with midfielder Ryan Obst and half forward Adam Hood among the club’s better players.
Rupanyup tasted victory for the first time since round five, defeating Natimuk United 13.8 (86) to 8.13 (61) on the road.
Despite a five goals to one from the Rams in the last quarter, the Panthers led comfortably throughout, with co-coach Cam Weston on top in the ruck, Daniel Weetra again solid in the back line and Blake Turner kicking five goals.
Natimuk United’s top players included Mitchell Clarke, Liam Klowss and Oscar Miller, with Jack Bellinger kicking four goals.
In addition to this weekend’s potentially ladder-shaping clash between Swifts and Kalkee at North Park, Pimpinio will host Harrow-Balmoral in a top-three duel, Noradjuha-Quantong plays Taylors Lake at Quantong and Rupanyup is at home to Edenhope-Apsley.
Laharum, Kaniva-Leeor and Natimuk United have byes.
The entire July 30, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire July 30, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
