Midfielder Sam Scott and backman Beau Connell featured, while local products Brayden Skeers and seven-goal star Shannon Terlich were also pivotal in the 14.11 (95) to 4.8 (32) win.

The Swampies were missing four players in last week's upset loss to Jindera due to Victoria's COVID lockdown, but once that was lifted last Tuesday night, the quartet, including Wodonga-based coach Heath Ohlin, was able to play.

"It certainly does (have an influence), it's that flow-on effect, it's not just taking out some of your best players, it means guys have to take better match-ups and once you get those better players in, it flows on to everyone else," Ohlin explained.

The rugged Scott was dynamic, clocking up touches in a busy display, while Connell was part of a lethal backline which restricted the Lions to just two goals by three-quarter time.

"I thought our backline was under pressure most of the day and the forwards just couldn't get it past their defenders, they were just too solid," coach Craig Bosley suggested.

Lions' spearhead Adam Prior opened the scoring off his non-preferred left foot in the third minute, but that was his only goal as the home team quickly dominated.

Terlich kicked three goals in the first quarter and they were all different, with a soccer off the ground for the first, followed by a strong mark and then a reward for persistence as he kept working away with the ball on the ground before a lovely finish.

He had five by the six-minute mark of the second, with Bosley moving his opponent Sam Welsh for Riley Knobel.

Terlich had some terrific service from his team-mates, which would have made it difficult for any opponent, but he only kicked two more, admittedly handing off at least a couple.

The match was effectively over at half-time as the visitors had only one goal to trail by six, but the Lions lifted markedly after the break, but couldn't pass the tight defence.

"They had to come out and fire a shot and they did, but I thought it was credit to our boys that we withstood that pressure to then steady and at the end of the quarter, get a couple ourselves," Ohlin offered.

Half-forward Skeers was superb, booting two goals on that lethal left foot, while young wingman Charlie Doig joined Scott, who also kicked two majors, and Connell in the best.

Ben Gould kicked two goals, with Knobel, Nick Wright and Simon McLeish the pick.

And in a nice touch, players formed a guard of honour for umpire Peter Andriske in his 800th game.

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He officiated with O and M grand final umpires Jason Raine and Hayden Pearson.

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