CHILTERN is refusing to go away.
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After flashing in and out of finals contention throughout the opening 15 rounds of the season, the Swans are back in business in a big way after dismantling fellow finals contender Wahgunyah by 47 points at Chiltern on Saturday.
Kirk Wilson’s line-up will replace Dederang-Mount Beauty in fifth spot if it defeats the Bombers this weekend.
“It’s good to still be alive,” Wilson said.
“The boys were fantastic and I just think it was culmination of two or three weeks of good footy and everything coming together.
“All of our structures worked and I would say it’s our best win of the season.
“It was a game we had to win and was like a final for us.
“We can look forward to another big game against Dederang.”
Chiltern couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match when 300-gamer Luke Brookes kicked its first goal and, while it took a quarter to shake off Wahgunyah, the writing was on the wall.
The Swans opted against tagging opposition stars and Rod and Wayne Shannon, Matt Nichol, Dane O’Neill, Caleb Boxall and Ash Van Klaveren were left to their own devices to orchestrate the victory.
Mark Doolan returned from injury to kick three goals.
Wilson said he was particularly pleased with the way Chiltern dominated the stoppages after quarter-time.
Wahgunyah had triers in Jake Beams, Shannon Schulz and Dean Bigger.
Wodonga Saints powered home to defeat Beechworth by 49 points.
With the scores level at half-time, the Saints kicked 13 goals to four with Ryan Jenkins the star with five goals and Deryn Harding, Drew Lawrence and Craig Lieschke lending good support.
Beechworth were best served by Matt Hunt and Nick Cibiras.
Mitta United defeated Rutherglen by 24 points.
The Cats were right in the mix for a half with Brendan Sessions and Sam Bowers playing well, but couldn’t maintain the effort as the visitors’ Tyson Gorupic, Nathan Reynoldson and Joel Wilson got on top.