After yet another week off in an interrupted start to the season, the Moree Suns took an under strength side to Tamworth's No. 1 Oval to take on a Swans side hunting a win after three straight losses.
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It was a strong start from the underdog Suns, but a massive second quarter by the Swans proved too much to overcome, eventually winning 18-18-126 to 5-12-42.
Down a few key players due to other commitments, the Suns were boosted by three Nomads players in David Richards, Adrian Walsh and Andrew Gray joining the side to help out for the day.
Neither side was able to get on top early with both sides trading goals, the Swans entering the first break with a slender seven-point lead.
It was the second quarter where the Swans were able to kick ahead, booting eight goals and holding the Suns to just two behinds as they went into half time leading 11-9-75 to 2-5-17.
The Swans continued their hot form into the third quarter, booting five goals, but to the Suns credit they kept fighting to the end, even winning the final quarter.
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Suns coach Eric Faulkner said it was a tough lead up to the game with the rugby league local derby being moved to Saturday night.
"We had nine players out, either Rangs or Boars players, four of which were in our top six best players last game," Faulkner said.
"We rallied the troops and loaded the bus, with a little help from the three Armidale players we were still able to put a competitive team on the park.
"It was a good first quarter and we were right in it, but they had a really strong third quarter and without a bench we ran out of legs in the third.
"We fought right to the final siren and I was proud of the boys' efforts."
Faulkner said Simon Hall was a particular standout in just his third game of AFL, while Jack Montgomery was also a stalwart at the back.
"He's our backline angel with strong intercept marks and booming kicks out of defence and was amazing once again," he said.
The AFL North West will now break for the long weekend. The Suns next game will be on June 15 at home to the New England Nomads.
TAMWORTH SWANS 18-18-126 (Christopher Oxford 5, Samuel Spokes 2, Nathan Keam 2, Adam Cruickshank 2, Edward George 2, Dale Gericke 2, Paul Tapper, Gavin Knee, Ben Jaffrey) defeated MOREE SUNS 5-12-42 (David Richards 2, Jeremy Nash, Daniel West, Adrian Walsh)
