Border Raiders’ first clash since toppling ladder leaders Golden City ended in a dour trip to Swan Hill, with the undermanned travellers slumping to a 6-1 defeat on the Swans’ home pitch.
The Swans fired two goals past the depleted visitors in the first half and four in the second, with the Raiders defence under siege after goal-keeper Rory Van De Zand was hospitalised with a kick to the ribs.
“We were a bit light on so we borrowed a few under-16s to help get us through,” Raiders’ coach Jonathan Keele said.
“We lost Rory at the 15-minute mark. He got kicked in the ribs which ended with him having to go to hospital.
“We lost our structure from there.”
Van De Zand was assessed and discharged.
With the Raiders forced into an early change, Swans striker Conner Brown capitalised with four goals, while Cooper Fox scored a brace.
The Swans’ ascendancy through the middle of the ground proved challenging but the Raiders managed a consolation goal through Jean-Claude Herman in the 86th minute.
“On a big pitch they just dominated through the midfield,” Keele said.
“I don’t think we were as switched on as we were a couple of weeks ago.”
With the result beyond doubt, frustration’s boiled over as Herman and Sam Wanesiofa were both red-carded in the final three minutes of regulation time, both now set to sit out for this weekend’s clash against Deniliquin.
The win sends Swan Hill eight points clear in fourth spot, with the Deni game now taking on extra significance for the Raiders.
Keele said it was a determined Raiders who took to the track on Tuesday night, hoping to put the disappointment of last week behind them.
Meanwhile, the Border Raiders women were held to their first draw of the season by a determined Castlemaine-Goldfields, settling for a 0-0 result at Memorial Park.
The under-16 side fired seven goals past Castlemaine, retaining fourth spot after eight rounds.
Meanwhile, Raiders under-14s fell to Epsom 1-3, with the under-12 side mirroring that result against Strathdale.