Chiltern emerge as genuine flag threat with a 6-1 record

The Cats landed a surprise upset win against Tallangatta in round five and threatened to claim another prized scalp after trailing the Swans by less than a kick at the last change.

But the home side was able to rally with the aid of the breeze when it needed to and kick six goals to two in the final quarter to win 11.11 (77) to 8.4 (52) in one of the matches of the season.

Caleb Boxall returned from injury for the Swans after missing the past three weeks with his poise and creativity off half-back instrumental in the win.

Midfielder Chris Anderson with four goals, alongside Tristan Radley and Bodie Hibberson were also damaging for the home side.

James Hanrahan, Rhys Renshaw and Ryan Jones never stopped trying for the Cats.

A concussion to teenage forward Ashton Brookes who was knocked out in a sling tackle during the first-quarter and taken to Wodonga hospital by ambulance was the only sour note for the Swans.

"It was a tough day at the office for me trying to coach after seeing that happen to my young bloke," Brookes said.

"It's not much fun watching your son get carted off in an ambulance.

"He only turned 17 last week."

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Brookes warned Rutherglen was one of the most improved sides in the competition and a genuine finals contender.

"Rutherglen were keen to test themselves and played with a lot of intensity which we were able to match and grind out the win," he said.

"We had the breeze in the last-quarter so I was confident we could get the job done but they certainly came to play.

"They were chasing another scalp and I didn't know a lot about their list before Saturday.

"They are going to give a lot of sides a shake and they impressed me to be honest.

"I knew when there was only a goal difference at half-time that it was game on."

The competition has a general bye this weekend.

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