After stunning Tallangatta last week, the Swans were able to back up with a 43-point win against the Bulldogs.

Now in fifth place and a game clear of Thurgoona and Mitta United, coach Mark Doolan said he was pleased with the way the Swans had dealt with a mid-season form slump.

“We’ve had a lot of slow starts that have cost us in the early part of the season, so to have the record we have and be where we are at this stage of the season is a good result,” Doolan said.

“I thought we played as well as we did against Tallangatta yesterday, if not better.

“Thurgoona were missing a couple of key players, but that doesn’t take away from our effort, we backed up after a good win probably for the first time this season.”

Former Wodonga Raider Brad Hibberson kicked a goal in his return from suspension, with Doolan enjoying a healthier list in recent weeks.

“Obviously having Brad back yesterday was a welcome sight, but we’ve had a number of other players come back into the side that has given us a bit of a lift,” Doolan said.

“Caleb Boxall, James Dickson and Thomas Lehmann were all a bit underdone early on in the season, but they’re fit now and are starting to hit their straps.

“Boxall was excellent for us on Saturday, which was a very positive sign.”

Kiewa-Sandy Creek pulled the rug out from under Beechworth in Brenton Surrey’s 200th game, stealing a 15-point win.

The Hawks trailed by nine points at the final change before slamming home four goals to one in the last quarter to snatch a hard-fought victory on the road.

Wahgunyah’s finals chances were dealt a massive blow when Yackandandah were able to turn a three goal half-time deficit into a 23-point win, with Trent Castles dominating.

The big forward kicked six goals and was among the Kangaroos’ best, while Shannon Schultz gave it everything for the Lions.

Jack Price was best on ground in Barnawartha’s big win over Dederang-Mount Beauty, kicking two goals and dominating across the centre.

It was yet another tough day for the Wodonga Saints, who lost to Rutherglen by 218 points, with the Cats players Brendan Sessions and Lindsay Seymour booting 16 goals.