The Swans, perennial wooden spooners, moved back into the NWFL's final five when they beat Smithton by 81 points.

"We have got our noses in front as far as a finals spot is concerned and we're just going to have to work hard to stay there," East Devonport coach Dale Perry said.

A healthy crowd watched yesterday's stand-alone game at Girdlestone Park, which featured the appearance of former Sydney Swans premiership player Jude Bolton and the 300th game for Smithton veteran Scott Blizzard.

The game was brought forward a week to accommodate the visit of Bolton with the rest of the competition having the bye because of the national under-23 carnival in Hobart.

After the game, both teams formed a guard of honour to cheer off 36-year-old Blizzard and Perry was one of the first to shake his hand.

"He's an icon of North-West football and to consider playing 300 games for Smithton is like 400 games anywhere else," Perry said.

"I thought today was a great day for Coastal footy."

After winning the toss and kicking with the wind, Smithton scored the first goal of the game through Damien Medwin, who returned to the club earlier in the week after stints with North Launceston and Scottsdale.

But from then on it was East Devonport's day.

Michael Bloomfield played his best game for weeks, finishing with four goals, and had support from Stewart Carter, who finished with three.

Bolton kicked two goals as did small man Cody Walker.

Jake Triffett and Nathan Applebee also made their presence felt for the Swans.

No one tried harder for Smithton than coach Aaron Tuxworth, along with Ryan Grey and Ryland Coombe.