KDL | Gallery | Swans hang on in a thriller, Stanhope kicks off season in style

Former AFL star Jared Brennan made his long-awaited appearance for the Towners, but even his silky skills were not enough for the home side.

The two outfits, widely regarded as top-four contenders, put on a classic for onlookers at Violet Town Recreation Reserve.

Momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the match as a strong breeze favoured the northern end.

Avenel - undermanned in the second half - fought back from 10 points down at half time and led by one-point at the final break.

A nail-biting last quarter saw the Swans hang on by three points - seven days after their remarkable win over Nagambie.

Young jet Braydon Avola found plenty of the ball, Dan Clarke was important across half back and Jake Anderson (two goals) was influential.

It was a spirited performance from Violet Town, with Matt McCarty (two goals) and Lachie Baldwin leading the way in the loss.

Avenel coach Kasey Duncan was over the moon with the result.

“It was a ripper game of footy, to hang on for the second weekend in a row is pretty special,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be a tough fight and to Violet Town's credit they did a great job.

“But I'm really proud of the effort from our boys. To be down on rotations in the third term and come out and kick the first three goals was an unreal effort.

“Our pressure around the contest never stopped, our run and carry flowed all game and we found a way to hold on.”

● Stanhope has begun its season on a winning note after cruising past Undera.

A dominant first half from the Lions helped orchestrate the 12.13 (85) to 6.5 (41) win.

Stanhope co-coach Mark Patten said he was relieved his charges were able to kick the season off with the four points.

“It's a bit of a relief,” Patten said.

“Facing the bye first up is never easy.

“We hadn't done much in a few weeks and I thought we might be a bit underdone.

“I thought Undera did a great job to come back.

“They played the game on their terms for a lot of that second half and by no means did we brush them aside.”

Forward utility Jonathon Pearson (two goals) enjoyed a strong day out for the Lions and was best afield.

Pearson's teammates and brother duo Nathan and Brad O'Reilly were instrumental in the win.

Nathan's line-breaking pace and Brad's shutdown role on Dylan Moncur earned the praise of Patten.

Nick McAuliffe, Cody Tancred and Henry Weding were the standouts for Undera.

Patten credited Stanhope's four goals to none second term for setting up the win.

“It was 15 minutes in that second term that we basically set up the win,” he said.

“We were pretty rusty in the first term, but I thought we used the ball a lot better, just all the basic things better, in the second.

“We just had to blow the cobwebs off.”

● Dookie United powered past Tallygaroopna to the tune of 116 points.

Pat McMullan booted six majors for the Thunder, while Aaryn Cormican starred in a best on ground performance.

● Lancaster remained undefeated with a 12.16 (88) to 4.9 (33) triumph over Merrigum.

The Wombats, through standouts Tom Davies and Phil Carroll, held Merrigum goalless after half-time.

● And Girgarre, Murchison-Toolamba and Shepparton East enjoyed 100-plus point wins over Ardmona, Rushworth and Longwood respectively.

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