Beechworth's fast start proves pivotal in comfortable victory over Chiltern

Both sides were desperate for the four points with the loser more than likely facing the prospect of trying to win the grand final from the elimination final.

With the stakes high, the Bushrangers produced their best performance of the season so far booting the first three goals on their way to a 7.6 (48) to 4.3 (27) win over the reigning premier.

The third-placed Bushrangers now have a game and a half break plus significant percentage over the fourth-placed Swans with six rounds remaining.

Bushrangers co-coach Brayden Carey was delighted with his side's fast start which proved to be crucial after both sides managed four goals after quarter-time.

Slow starts earlier in the season against flag contenders Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Yackandandah had proved costly for the Bushrangers.

"It was the worst conditions of the season but I thought we were able to adapt the quickest and were able to apply a bit of scoreboard pressure in that first quarter," Carey said.

"To be able to seize the advantage early was something that we have been working on but haven't been able to execute against the good sides.

"So that was pleasing from a coaching perspective.

"Quite often when you get conditions like today, it's the side who has the most intent that usually wins and I couldn't fault the desperation of the playing group.

"Rightly or wrongly we have been earmarked as a wet weather side and we love playing in conditions like today.

"Most sides are beaten by the time they get up here because they have the mindset that it's going to be wet and miserable at Beechworth."

The Swans were buoyed by the return of premiership big man Kyle Magee for his first senior match of the season.

After a delayed start to the season Magee had played reserves the past two rounds before earning a senior recall.

The athletic tall will add some flexibility to the Swans' line-up but struggled to have an instant impact playing predominantly as a key forward in the atrocious conditions.

The home side got off to a quick start with Lachie Armstrong, Connor Stone and Jack Ryan helping establish a 19-point lead at the first change.

Premiership defender Caleb Boxall made a rare appearance in attack.

It paid dividends for the Swans when he bobbed-up with the first two goals of the second term on his way to a three goal haul.

It helped slash the margin to eight points but it would be the closest the Swans got for the match.

Beechworth skipper Cam Fendyk kicked the home side's first goal of the second term.

Shaun Wilhelm, Ed Cartledge and Tristan Stead were also able to manufacture goals to help establish a match-winning 32-point lead at the main break.

Although the Bushrangers only scored three points in the second half, they were never seriously challenged by the Swans who could only manage two goals to eventually go down by 21-points.

It was unheralded Bushies in Kane Scott, Skip Pieper and Clancy Ellett who were best in their side's tenth win of the season.

Brent Ryan, Alessandro Belci and Fendyk were also solid performers.

Pieper alongside Degan Dolny had the unenviable task of competing against Barton medallist Scott Meyer in the ruck with both young talls proving to be more than competitive.

Meyer produced a lion-hearted performance in the ruck for the Swans with Ben Mason, Fin Lappin and Boxall also racking-up plenty of possessions.

The home side went into the clash without several big names including star defender Kayde Surrey alongside Carey (back), Jai Middleton (ankle), Dylan Pritchard and No. 1 ruckman Liam Stephens (facial fracture).

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Carey said it was rewarding to have some breathing space inside the top-three with six rounds remaining before finals.

"We spoke pre-match that a win today would strengthen our grip on a top-three finish," Carey said.

"It was your classic eight-point contest in that regard.

"But we are mindful that there are still six rounds remaining and we still need to turn up each week and perform because you have got a quality side like Chiltern in fourth and ready to pounce if we slip-up."

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