Geelong Advertiser |
SOUTH Barwon coach James Garvey said he hoped his side's 49-point win over Bell Park in Saturday's grand final replay put a smile on the face of his co-coach and teammate Casey Tutungi.
The injured Tutungi was following the game from his hospital bed and Garvey said the win was for him.
"He was listening to the game and no doubt his family would have kept him up to date with the scores. I just hope the win put a smile on his face," Garvey said.
"It was a massive week, a different week for us. But our main focus is for Casey and his health."
It was no doubt one of the longest and toughest weeks in the history of the South Barwon Football Club, yet you would have never had known it the way the Swans played.
From the first centre clearance they showed why they are undefeated and regarded the premiership favourite.
And it was obvious they were playing for Tutungi.
The only downside to the Swans' game was their inaccurate kicking, which began in the opening term as they managed only four goals from 10 shots to lead by 10 points at the first break.
Bell Park did not play to the standard expected from a side sitting in second place. But while the Swans were dominating, they failed to punish the Dragons.
South Barwon added 2.5 to 1.2 in the second term to take a 19-point lead into half time.
In the third term, the Swans had the chance to put the Dragons away but kicked 4.10 giving the Dragons, who kicked 2.3, a slight chance of a comeback.
But the Swans saved their biggest quarter for the final term, blowing away their opponents with 6.1 to cap off one of their best performances this season.
Tutungi's former Lorne teammates showed their support by making the trip down to watch the Swans.
"Lorne had the bye this week and wanted to come down and support us, support Casey, which was great,"
Garvey said. "He's a Lorne boy through and through and that was his junior club. Today just shows how widely respected he is.
"Next week we have the bye and we want to get down to support Lorne. We are also hoping to visit Casey this week, but there has been no word on if we can or not. But once we can we'll start sending blokes down to visit him."
