Both sides went into the fourth round undefeated, and had plenty to play for as the top spot was up for grabs.

Cootamundra were betting favourites ahead of the game, but the Swans have made a habit of felling giants in recent years. However, coach Simon Treloar knew his team would have to fight an uphill battle against the Blues.

"They're definitely a strong team," Treloar said.

The first half of the match was a struggle for the ascendancy, and spectators on the sideline could feel that whoever got the best of the early exchanges would forge ahead in the second half.

Unfortunately for the Swans, it was not their day.

Weakened by injuries and player absences, Goulburn saw Cootamundra take a 3.2.20 to 10.5.65 lead at half time.

At this point, the Swans were still in touch, but it would require a monumental effort from an already weakened side to overcome the Blues, who have now firmly established themselves as the tournament leaders.

In the second half, Goulburn was unable to convert any of their few chances, which resulted in a scoreless half of football while Cootamundra piled on the goals.

At the end of the match, the score was 3.2.20 to 19.14.128 in favour of the visitors.

Despite the result, Treloar said that there were plenty of positives that his side could take from the day.

"I look forward to next week now," Treloar said.

"Just get the boys around training, got a lot to learn from today which is always good. We can take the positives out of it and go from there.

"When we were able to control the ball today, we were able to chip it around and get plenty of possession, but they were just too quick for us."

Indeed, there did not seem much to separate the two teams except work rate. Cootamundra have a young, physically fit team who ran with the same intensity from the first quarter to the last, which was always going to be difficult for Goulburn's older and more injury-struck team to match.

This weekend, the Swans will host the Southern Cats in another match of great import.

While the Blues are now unquestionably the competition favourites, there is still significant jostling among other teams to decide second place.

Currently, the Swans are second with Cooma in a close third. This weekend's match will give both sides an opportunity to stake their claim early in the season.

The match between the Goulburn Swans and the Southern Cats will take place from 2.00pm on Saturday, May 25, at Goodhew Park.

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