All football fans would be familiar with the Great Southern Stand (now the Shane Warne Stand) at the MCG, but the Great Subba Stand at Avenel Recreation Reserve was just as impressive on Saturday.
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A large crowd had gathered on the hill at the Swans’ home ground to watch club legend Paul ‘Subba’ Arandt take to the field for the 300th time as a senior player.
Looking to spoil the party was Undera, as both sides needed the win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The game went to plan for the Swans, and after an initial tussle they flew away with a 16.19 (115) to 10.5 (65) win.
Avenel seniors coach Matt Huy was pleased with his side digging deep for the man of the day.
“It was all about Subba today, so we got the win done for him and that was the message to the boys all day,” Huy said.
“He’s given everything to the club for 300 games and it was about time that we repaid him.
“He’s the old statesman of the club. The biggest reason probably this club is the way they are, just the way Subba is, he’s massive for the club.
“I was really impressed with Dylan Hoysted’s game, you’ve got a handful of players who are up there (in contention for best on ground).
“Lachlan Watts in the backline played really, really great, Thomas Tobin through the middle played really well, Braydon Avola played really, really well.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of boys I could have given that (best on) to.”
Hoysted was unstoppable in front of goals for the Swans, as the number 22 kicked six majors, but the goal everyone wanted to see was from the milestone man.
The first quarter got off to the perfect start for Arandt and the Swans, as the ruckman won the first clearance, which quickly led to the first goal.
The fast start kicked Undera into gear and the Lions locked themselves in the forward 50.
After some inspired defending from Avenel, the away side got its first major on five minutes.
Moments later Hoysted opened his account, as a long kick from midfield left the forward one on one with his defender and when the forward got hands on the ball, he grubbered it through for a major.
The closely contested quarter was characterised by the Lions laying siege to the Swans, pinning them back and grinding towards goal while the Swans got results on the break.
At quarter time the home side trailed by three points.
The game opened up in the second period and both sides scored with more freedom.
While the Swans had ample chances, they could not capitalise, and kicked seven behinds to go with their three goals.
The Lions kept themselves in the game with two goals for the quarter but trailed by nine points at the half-time break.
Avenel players found their scoring boots in the third quarter and slotted the first four goals of the term.
With a 37-point lead going into the final quarter, everyone wanted to see a goal from Arandt, so when he marked 20m out from goal in front of the Great Subba Stand, the crowd went wild.
All hands ended up on heads as Arandt skewed it out left, but he was not going to let the opportunity pass him by a second time. He took another mark minutes later and scored to send the crowd into raptures.
It was a perfect way to close out the game for the Swans.
While getting the win for Arandt was the top priority for the Swans, the win moves the side up to seventh on the ladder.
In the other games in the Kyabram District League, Nagambie kept its spot at the top of the table with a 10.4 (64) to 15.11 (101) win over Stanhope.
Trent Laverie was named best on while William Dalton kicked five goals.
Longwood’s finals hopes took a blow at home against Lancaster, as the second placed side won 1.2 (8) to 17.10 (112).