Trailing at every change, and without any bench rotations from early in the second quarter onwards, the ladder-leading Swans still found a way, with a final-quarter flurry lifting them to a memorable 10.13 (73) to 10.8 (68) triumph at Dookie Recreation Reserve.
A result that locks in the Kyabram District League minor premiership, Duncan said the win was one of the most memorable of the season to date.
“It was a massive effort, we knew how hard it was going to be especially in those conditions to slog it out in the mud without any rotations, so to come away with the win I am super proud of the group,” Duncan said.
“Credit to Dookie, they played to the conditions much better than us early on by just pumping the ball forward while we tried to be a bit too cute.
“Once we adapted to the conditions we were able to get the game back on our terms, and guys like Mitch Tobin and Braydon Avola really lifted for us and we willed ourselves over the line.”
Coming up against a ninth-placed Dookie United side desperate to win its way back into the top eight, the Swans copped a brutal early barrage as the home side skipped away to a 14-point advantage at the first change.
And the situation would only worsen for the visitors early in the second term, as Jack Smith, Kyle Maynard and Cameron Nickson all came from the ground with injuries.
With no rotations from the bench, Duncan said the mindset quickly shifted.
“It was a game without rotation for pretty much the entire day, so it just came back to an effort and intensity thing and we just started playing in front and pumping that ball forward,” he said.
“We got a bit of ascendancy around the ball and turned the game into more of a slog, and I think that change in approach went a long way to us winning the game.”
With so many positives coming from the victory, Duncan highlighted a couple of standout players, but said it was the way his team came together as unit that impressed him the most.
“Braydon (Avola) and Mitch (Tobin) were the two standouts for us, the way they stood up and lifted the guys around them was incredible,” he said.
“Tom Tobin and big Paul Arandt were really good in the ruck and up forward for us and Chayse Thomson played a great role for us across half back.
“Overall though everybody just did their bit, it wasn’t pretty at times, but it was the kind of win that the whole club can be proud of.”
Nagambie went one step closer to securing its place in the 2022 finals series, beating Merrigum 15.16 (106) to 10.10 (70) in a crucial eight-point game at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
The Lakers’ fifth win on the trot, they were never truly troubled by the Bulldogs, leading at every change in what was a clinical performance.
Nathan Fothergill and Jonathan Moore were the stars up forward for the home team booting four goals apiece, while Bradley Drysdale and William O’Brien also impressed throughout the day.
Elsewhere, Lancaster was far too good for Rushworth, registering a 263-point win to boost itself up into third spot.
Shepparton East prevailed by three points in a thriller over Violet Town.
Murchison-Toolamba continues to get it done in the tight ones, defeating fellow contender Stanhope by two points.
Undera recorded a much-needed 102-point victory over Longwood.
While Girgarre rounded out the weekend’s action with a thumping 132-point win over Tallygaroopna.
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