By Liam Emerton
Stenlake Park erupted in a chorus of cheers as their Glenmore Bulls did the impossible on Saturday.
It was 2905 days ago that the BITS Saints defeated the Yeppoon Swans 11.10 (76) – 6.13 (49) at Boyne Island.
Since then no other team has been able to solve the Swans’ puzzle, as the side continued to slaughter the rest of the AFL Capricornia competition.
But alas, all streaks are made to be broken and 128 games later, after a national record set and eight straight flags, the Yeppoon Swans have been defeated again.
The Glenmore Bulls celebrated their victory over the Yeppoon side like it was a grand final with their song blaring over the speakers straight after the full time hooter.
A four-quarter effort and a perfect performance is what it took but after a gruelling contest the Bulls became the giant slayers.
Glenmore would emerge victorious, winning 13.6 (84) – 10.5 (65), with captain-coach Tim Higgins and captain Darcy Payne each kicking three of the Bulls’ goals.
CQ Today caught up with Higgins directly after his passionate speech in the dressing sheds, where he addressed the enormity of what the side had just accomplished.
“Everyone has been gunning for them for quite some time now,” he said.
“What they have done has been good for the comp because if you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best.
“It is nice being the team that got the job done.”
Higgins said the win could be a stepping stone for the club with their confidence now at an all time high.
“It’s pleasing to see what we’re capable of and I think the belief in the group grows from this,” he said.
“The job is far from done. It’s round six, a third of the way through the season.
“We’re not blowing this out of proportion. It’s obviously nice to knock them over but our big focus is to make sure we’re getting ourselves up there ready for finals.
“And [Saturday] was a good barometer of where we are and what we’re capable of.
“The guys know it could be a special year so we can’t waste it.”
Braden Mitchell, who normally plays centre half-forward for the Bulls, got a special mention from Higgins after Mitchell played most of the game in ruck.
Thomas Blackborough, Tyson and Darcy Payne also got named in the team’s best performers with the coach saying that it truly was an all-round performance.
In the Bulls’ sights now will be the Gladstone Suns who are coming off the back of a Gladstone-derby loss to the BITS Saints.
For the Yeppoon Swans, they’ll be looking to bounce back from a loss for the first time since 2015 when they take on the Brothers Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos have continued their roll, defeating the Rockhampton Panthers 8.7 (55) – 6.10 (46).
The Kangas have won two on the trot and now come up against the Yeppoon Swans who are as vulnerable as ever.
And in the final match the Panthers will face off against the BITS Saints.
The women’s AFL Capricornia league will see the top-of-the-table Panthers collide with the BITS Saints.
Second versus fourth when the Yeppoon Swans travel to Kele Park, and finally the Glenmore Bulls take on the Gladstone Suns.