Buchan is headed to the Omeo District senior football prelim following a stirring 11-point victory over Swan Reach in the first semi final at Swan Reach on Saturday, however it certainly wasn’t easy.

Favoured heading into the clash having beaten the Swans three times in the home and away season, the Cavemen had to fight back from a 37-point quarter time deficit and a late surge from the Swans to seal the victory.

It was one-way traffic in the opening term, Buchan was held scoreless with Swanny piling in six goals thanks to the aid of a strong wind advantage. It held a three-goal half time lead and still had its nose in front up until the nine-minute mark of the final quarter when Tyson Siddle goaled.

Buchan then got out to 16-point lead before consecutive Swans goals approaching time on saw the deficit cut to four.

Justin Hunt kicked the sealer for the Cavemen, gathering at ground level and snapping truly from long range.

Hunt kicked three goals, including two in the last, Tyson Siddle also booted three with Jimmy Joiner, who was a midfield source, booting two late majors as well.

Liam McFarlane controlled the back half for the Cavemen, while Will Webb was a major possession winner.

For the Swans, Sam Tindley-Roe was outstanding, providing run from the back half, through the middle of the ground and even drifting forward for a third term goal.

Chris Robertson was important in the back half for Swan Reach, Arthur Wright and Peter Ritchie were constants around the ball while Jack Wheatfill, Bronson Ritchie and Liam Saunders kicked two goals each.

Buchan’s Tim Whelan had the first opportunity to score, however the wind showed its power with his set shot spraying wide to the clubrooms side.

Despite kicking against the wind, the Cavemen were creating all the scoring opportunities, however turned the ball over on numerous occasions.

At the other end, slow play and a crisp pass from Tindley-Roe allowed Jack Wheatfill to goal from a 40m set shot, which after six minutes was the first score.

The Swans had two in a minute as a strong marking Bronson Ritchie outpointed Andrew Whelan on the lead following a midfield holding the ball decision.

Another slow build up allowed Wheatfill to find Liam Saunders out the back as the Swans went ahead by three goals at the 14-minute mark.

Swan Reach’s short passing going forward was exceptional.

A downfield free kick for holding against Jacob Petrac allowed Wheatfill to boot his second and it was suddenly one-way traffic. After Buchan’s initial surge forward, momentum had well and truly swung.

Peter Ritchie made it five on the trot as he broke through two Buchan tackle attempts before drilling a long goal on the 50m arc as the clock ticked into time on.

When a line breaking Tindley-Roe found Saunders with a smart pass, the classy small forward nailed the Swans’ sixth.

Only a Liam McFarlene touch on the goal line stopped Bronson Ritchie from booting his second as the Swans went into the first break leading by 37.

Although they had a wind advantage, the Swans dominated the Cavemen on the outside after the opening 10 minutes.

Buchan needed to find an answer with the breeze at its back and Tom Buckley-Khone produced it thanks to a holding free kick. The deficit was back to 31.

Tyson Siddle made it two in a row for the Cavemen, freed up by a William Webb handball in traffic, as they began their fightback.

A quick snap from Justin Hunt put Buchan within 18 at the 11-minute mark. It appeared both teams had no answer for the wind. Swan Reach absorbed much of Buchan’s pressure, particularly late in the quarter, to lead by three goals the long break.

The Cavemen were lacking leg speed and it told as much of its attacking was blazing, hopeful ball to nothing.

Buchan made arguably the most significant move to start the third quarter with a downfield free kick giving Siddle his second the first goal into the wind all afternoon as the margin was reduced to 11 after four minutes. Wind had lessened, however was still favouring the town end.

John Hooper who had played a variety of roles, including centre half back and ruck put the Cavemen within six points of the Swans at the 14-minute mark after he marked a long ball at the edge of the goalsquare.

The Cavemen were coming, however were unable to capitalise over the next five minutes as Swanny steadied through Tindley-Roe, who made a long run off half back to push his side’s lead out to 10, which would be the margin heading into the final term.

The swap of Hooper and Tim Whelan from defence to attack was important with Hooper providing a mobile forward option. Swan Reach was slowing and couldn’t make the most of the breeze.

The Cavemen kicked the allimportant first goal of the last quarter through Hunt, cutting the deficit to four after three minutes.

Play was halted as Swan Reach youngster, Jordan Dadswell, received medical attention after a heavy bump prior to the Hunt goal. Dadswell was stretchered from the field and took no further part.

Buchan was in front at the nine-minute mark for the first time in the afternoon when Siddle gathered at ground level, wheeled around his opponent and booted his third to give the Cavemen a threepoint advantage.

Hooper extended the margin by one with a set shot behind soon after, before Jimmy Joiner gave his side breathing space a lead of 10 following a 50m set shot at the 13minute mark.

Joiner booted his second within two minutes thanks to a 50m penalty against the Swan Reach runner. The margin was 16 and the Cavemen looked home.

However, Wheatfill responded from close range for the Swans to keep his side’s hopes alive with the deficit returning to 10 approaching time on.

When Bronson Ritchie roved on the goal line moments later and goaled after discussion between field and goal umpire the gap was reduced to four again.

Hunt answered with another long snap at the 22-minute mark, prompting a huge cheer from the Buchan faithful on the hill, as the lead again grew to 10.

BULLDOGS THROUGH TO PRELIM

Bruthen’s under 16s held off a fast-finishing Buchan to advance to the preliminary final, winning a tight battle by nine point after Cec Matthews kicked the sealer with less than a minute of play remaining.

In what was a tight tussle over the four quarters, the Bulldogs held a one-goal lead at the final break and after booting the first goal of the last term, had created what appeared enough breathing space to topple the Cavemen.

However the young Buchan boys took the game on through the midfield in the final 10 minutes and when they kicked consecutive goals with five minutes remaining, the margin was back to two points.

Bruthen would miss a chance to seal the victory and then after creating a turnover at half back, Matthews gathered a loose ball at half forward, broke a tackle and drilled the sealer from the right forward pocket.

Jacob Purcell kicked two goals for the victors, while Xavier Galpin was best afield.

Riley Germaine kicked three goals for the Cavemen with Jock Coates his side’s best.

PICTURED: Buchan ball winner, Will Webb, was outstanding during his side’s come-from-behind Omeo District senior football first semi final victory over Swan Reach at Swan Reach on Saturday. The Cavemen trailed by 37 points at quarter time and claimed their first lead of the match at the nine-minute mark of the fourth quarter before holding on for an 11-point win.