CHILTERN will enter its first finals series since 2015 chock-full of confidence after scoring a rousing 13 point come-from-behind victory over Tallangatta at Chiltern on Saturday.
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Only a week after claiming the prized scalp of flag favourite Thurgoona, the Swans kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to grab an impressive 12.11 (83) to 9.16 (70) victory.
Tallangatta looked the better side for three quarters with giant ruckman Scott Spencer, Pat and Hamish O'Brien causing plenty of headaches for the home side.
Trailing by a goal, the Swans received a good old fashion rev up from co-coach Luke Brookes at the final change.
The spray had an instant effect after the Swans got off to a perfect start when Ricky Whitehead kicked his third goal to level the scores.
Hoppers coach Tyson Smith got the quick reply before the Swans kicked another two goals to wrestle back the lead.
Joe Ciccone bobbed up with his only goal to once again level the scores with five minutes remaining.
With the match up for grabs Steve Phibbs kicked a clever goal on his opposite foot before Tom Lehmann sealed the win with the final goal of the match.
"It was a gutsy performance and we had no right to win really," Brookes said.
"We weren't great for the first three-quarters and got out worked and then in the last quarter the boys showed some ticker."
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Brookes said he had asked his charges to lift at the three-quarter time huddle with midfielder Marcus Roberts keeping the Swans in the match.
"I questioned a lot of them if they were giving me all they had," he said.
"Only Robbo (Roberts) was great all day but the rest of them I put it on them.
"To their credit they all lifted and were fantastic in the final quarter."
Chiltern will now face Barnawartha in the qualifying final at Sandy Creek on Saturday with the winner to play minor premier Thurgoona in the second semi-final.
"We haven't limped into finals and have a couple of big wins and got a couple of handy scalps," he said.
"Another positive today was to be able to get the job done without big Slick (Whitehead) dominating.
"I'm sure he will be right to fire up at Sandy Creek though.
"That's a 15-3 season now after only winning four matches last year.
"It's fair to say the town is abuzz with anticipation of what we can achieve over the next month.
"Fitness won't be an issue."
