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MODERN-DAY rivals Bell Park and South Barwon played a draw at Hamlyn Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Swans extended their lead at every change before the Dragons piled on five straight goals to skip out to a 10-point lead in the final quarter.
In a dramatic finish, the Swans kicked four straight behinds before South Barwon veteran Adam Wiseman took a mark in the goal square with a minute left to kick the equalising goal.
Bell Park co-coach Tim Sheringham was again his side’s best, shrugging off a heavy tag from South’s Adam Kurzman.
Bell Park finished 12.11 (83) to South Barwon 11.17 (83) after a final quarter that stretched well beyond 30 minutes.
ST MARY’S ON TOP
Across town, St Mary’s stole top place from St Joseph’s with a four-point win at Drew Reserve.
Saints coach Bryce Vincent said it took a half to gain control of the game.
“In the second half we were able to play the game on our terms,” he said.
“We’re rapt that we are on top but we are under no illusion we have some big tests coming up in the coming weeks.
“We have to get through them before we can be considered a finals side.”
LEOPOLD HOLDS OFF LARA
Leopold was pushed by host Lara all game but managed to sneak away with an 11-point victory.
The Lions did it the hard way, notching 24 behinds.
“Lara at Lara is always tough,” Leopold coach Steve Clark said.
“It was one of those frustrating days for us where nothing goes the way you want it to.”
ST ALBANS SERVED BY COACH
St Albans coach Clinton Proctor accused his men of playing “bruise-free” football despite the comfortable 13-goal win against North Shore.
“The second quarter was disappointing because after we got the jump early we started to play for ourselves, trying to play a bit of bruise free footy,” he said.
“I’ll admit I gave them a fair old bake at half-time.”
Other GFL winners were Colac and Newtown & Chilwell.
TORQUAY TROUNCES DRYSDALE
Torquay claimed its first big BFL scalp of the season, beating Drysdale by 68 points.
Tigers coach Craig McCaughan said it was a relief for the club.
“I guess the pressure was on us a bit as well, internally and externally,” he said.
“We hadn’t beaten anyone above us yet. We just needed to win today.
“All 22 players stepped up, which is what we need.”
Drysdale coach John Fitzgerald said his group was surprised by the contest.
“We certainly came down here with high hopes,” he said.
“We were ready for a scrap but they were just too good for us.”
Meanwhile, Ocean Grove survived a scare from Anglesea, while Modewarre, Geelong Amateur and Queenscliff were more comfortable victors.
GEELONG WEST UPSETS “DISGUSTING” EAST GEELONG
Geelong West upset East Geelong by 50 points at West Oval.
Cheetahs coach Nick Washington described the triumph as the best he’s seen, while opposition coach Rick O’Toole described the Eagles’ efforts as “disgusting”.
“In my time since 2006, it’s been the best win we’ve been involved with, the best by a mile,” Washington said.
“We’ve proven to the rest of the competition that we’re here now and we are capable.”
O’Toole was ropeable.
“It was a disgusting effort,” he said.
“There’s no excuses. They gave us a lesson in work rate, commitment and discipline.
“We have to respond (next week). The season’s on the line in my belief.”
Bell Post Hill shook off Anakie and Bannockburn broke away from Werribee Centrals.
Winchelsea, North Geelong and Inverleigh had easier outings.
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FULL TIME SCORES
GFL — Bell Park 12.11 (83) South Barwon 11.17 (83)
Grovedale 12.11 (83) Colac 22.15 (147)
Lara 15.7 (97) Leopold 14.24 (108)
Newtown & Chilwell 17.15 (117) GWSP 7.7 (49)
St Albans 21.15 (141) North Shore 8.7 (55)
St Joseph’s 11.17 (83) St Mary’s 12.15 (87)
BFL — Anglesea 11.12 (78) Ocean Grove 12.16 (88)
Modewarre 15.12 (102) Portarlington 7.9 (51)
Geelong Amateurs 22.16 (148) Barwon Heads 7.11 (53)
Queenscliff 39.19 (253) Newcomb 2.1 (13)
Torquay 21.16 (142) Drysdale 12.2 (74)
GDFL — Geelong West 18.4 (112) East Geelong 8.14 (62)
Anakie 14.10 (94) Bell Post Hill 21.13 (139)
Winchelsea 12.10 (82) Belmont Lions 7.16 (58)
Werribee Centrals 13.7 (85) Bannockburn 16.14 (110)
North Geelong 27.13 (175) Thomson (8.8 (56)
Inverleigh 18.16 (124) Corio 9.9 (63)
FOURTH QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GFL — St Mary’s will hold on to beat top side St Joseph’s by four points.
GFL — Goal-kicking practice should be the focus at Leopold this week after 24 handy points helped it across the line against Lara, 14.24 (108) to 15.7 (97).
DRAW — Bell Park has come from three goals down at the last change to tie with the inaccurate South Barwon 12. 11 (83) to 11.17 (83).
GDFL — The wheels have fallen off East Geelong. They will succumb to their third loss of the season. Geelong West out to 51-point lead. Great upset.
GFL — St Albans has kicked six of the past seven goals of the match against North Shore.
INJURIES — St Albans’ Luke Williams and North Shore’s Dylan Watt have suffered shoulder injuries. Could influence club best and fairest counts big time.
BFL — Ocean Grove has reclaimed the lead against Anglesea, booting the first goal of the term to lead by three points at Alcoa Oval.
BFL — Anglesea needs to get its skates on this quarter. Both sides have accumulated three points this term. Roos hold three goal advantage 10 minutes in.
GFL — Colac, Newtown & Chilwell and St Albans have done enough and should cruise through this quarter to respective victories.
GFL — St Mary’s looks set to steal St Joseph’s spot on top of the ladder. Margin 9.13 (67)
to 8.11 (59) at the start of the fourth term.
GDFL — Geelong West is doing its best to seal this upset against East Geelong. Small forward Eugene Sanciu got the first for the quarter. Crucial goal.
THIRD QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GFL — Game on at Bisinella Oval. Lara and Leopold are locked 13.5 (83) to 11.17 (83) at the last break.
GFL — Colac has the game under control against Grovedale, kicking seven goals to four in the third. Margin 35-points deep in the term.
GFL — Addy GFL writer Alex Tigani has tipped Adam Coff to be named North Shore’s best player against St Albans.
GDFL — Geelong West’s Alex Denham is putting on a clinic against East Geelong. He has nailed the past three goals of the match, giving him six in total for the day so far.
BFL — Torquay has more forward options than Drysdale. Tigers Ty Zantuck and Craig McCaughan have three goals each.
BFL — Drysdale’s accuracy is keeping it in the match against Torquay. The Hawks have slotted eight straight to the Tigers’ 12.10.
GFL — After 18 minutes, neither St Albans nor North Shore have scored a goal.
GFL — Supersaints Luke Williams and Jason Bourke are leading the disposals count against North Shore.
GFL — St Mary’s has made a dash for home against St Joseph’s. at Drew Reserve. The visitor has slammed on three unanswered goals this quarter.
GFL — Game over at Elderslie Oval. Newtown & Chilwell lead Geelong West-St Peter’s by six goals at the 17-minute mark of the term.
GFL — Leopold has been racking up the behinds, allowing Lara to stay in the game. The Lions lead 11.14 (80) to 11.3 (69).
GFL — Bell Park is still in touch of South Barwon, with 13 points the difference after 20 minutes..
GDFL — Addy GDFL writer Daniel Short has noticed a momentum swing between Geelong West and East Geelong. The Eagles have reduced the margin to 23 points, with Ricky O’Toole, Andrew Challis and Hayden Graham leading the comeback.
BFL — Drysdale desperately needs to find its range this quarter. Since the eight-minute mark of the first term, Torquay has booted 10.8 to the Hawks’ three straight.
GFL — Fresh from winning its fourth quarter of the season, North Shore coach Jason Davenport has pleaded for his men not to be selfish when positioning against St Albans.
HALF TIME SCORES
GFL — Bell Park 4.6 (30) South Barwon 6.9 (45)
Grovedale 6.4 (40) Colac 8.9 (57)
Lara 9.2 (56) Leopold 10.8 (68)
Newtown & Chilwell 8.8 (56) GWSP 4.4 (28)
St Albans 10.7 (67) North Shore 6.3 (39)
St Joseph’s 5.9 (39) St Mary’s 4.8 (32)
BFL — Anglesea 9.7 (61) Ocean Grove 7.5 (47)
Modewarre 8.8 (56) Portarlington 3.5 (23)
Geelong Amateurs 11.8 (74) Barwon Heads 4.6 (30)
Queenscliff 15.9 (99) Newcomb 1.1 (7)
Torquay 10.10 (70) Drysdale 6.0 (36)
GDFL — Geelong West 10.3 (63) East Geelong 4.6 (30)
Anakie 8.6 (54) Bell Post Hill 8.7 (55)
Winchelsea 7.5 (47) Belmont Lions 8.6 (54)
Werribee Centrals 7.5 (47) Bannockburn 8.6 (54)
North Geelong 9.6 (60) Thomson 2.5 (17)
Inverleigh 9.9 (63) Corio 5.4 (34)
SECOND QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GDFL — Addy GDFL writer Daniel Short says the frustration of East Geelong is “almost boiling over”. The Eagles need to compose themselves to prevent the Cheetahs from running away with an upset win.
YELLOW CARDED — Drysdale captain Reece Holwell and Torquay utility Bryce Marshall were yellow carded at the 27-minute mark of the term. Addy BFL writer Matt Gibbs said there had been some “fiery agro” between the sides at Spring Creek Reserve.
GFL — Three reverse free kicks were paid during the second term between North Shore and St Albans.
GDFL — Unbeaten ladder-leader Bell Post Hill has pegged back ninth-ranked Anakie. Scores are tied 8.5 (53) apiece late in the quarter.
BFL — Anglesea has hunted down Ocean Grove and sprinted to a two-goal lead late in the term. After trailing by three goals at quarter time, the Roos now lead 9.7 (61) to 7.5 (47) at Alcoa Oval.
BFL — The flood gates have opened at Queens Park. Ammos have charged to 10.6 (66) leaving Barwon Heads trailing 3.6 (24) at the 27-minute mark.
GFL — North Shore could win its fourth quarter of the season thanks to an Ash McLean goal. The Seagulls have so far won just three quarters this season. St Albans lead 9.6 (60) to 6.3 (39).
GDFL — Geelong West’s Troy Maddalena converts to extend the Cheetahs’ lead to 27 points midway through the term.
GDFL — Better players for East Geelong have been Andrew Challis and Lachie Szponar.
GDFL — Geelong West’s Brendan Wall has been dangerous across the ground against East Geelong. Cheetahs’ full forward Alex Denham has booted three majors so far. Robbie Sims has been setting up play from the half-back line.
GFL — There’s still nothing in it at Drew Reserve. Top sides St Joseph’s and St Mary’s are locked 4.7 (31) apiece at the 15-minute mark.
GFL — Lara is keeping good pace with Leopold. The Cats are 8.3 (51) to the Lions’ 7.7 (49) at the 20-minute mark.
GFL — South Barwon has broken away from Bell Park, after two points separated them at quarter time. The Swans have kicked four goals to the Dragons’ one this term.
GFL — North Shore registered the opening two goals of the term via Nick Taylor and Chris Parker. But St Albans forwards Ben Hughes and Damian Carmody responded, Margin 34 points.
BFL — Torquay has founds its legs against Drysdale. The Tigers have had nine of the past 10 scoring shots and now lead by 12 points four minutes into the quarter.
GDFL — Despite East Geelong coach Ricky O’Toole’s request, Geelong West has continued on its merry way. The Cheetahs booted the first two goals of the second term. Another upset on the cards.
GDFL — East Geelong coach Ricky O’Toole gave his men a serve at quarter time after being shown up by Geelong West. He said the Eagles had been “complacent”. Expect them to respond this term.
BFL — The ever-accurate Ammos booted a goal within the first minute of the second term at Queens Park. But Barwon Heads fired straight back. The host leads 4.0 (24) to the Seagulls 2.5 (17) three minutes in.
FIRST QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GFL — St Albans is dominating the clearances against North Shore. The Supersaints lead 7.5 (47) to 2.1 (13). Addy footy writer Alex Tigani says the scoreline speaks for itself.
BFL — Barwon Heads could have set up a massive upset if it had been more accurate. The Seagulls booted 2.5 (17) to Geelong Amateur’s 3.0 (18).
GFL — As expected, the battle between first and second is a nailbiter. St Joseph’s and St Mary’s are one point apart late in the quarter.
GFL — Colac’s inaccuracy has kept Grovedale in the game. Colac is 4.6 (30) to Grovedale’s 3.1 (19) late in the term.
GDFL — Bannockburn takes a one-point lead into quarter time against Werribee Centrals, 3.4 (22) to 3.3 (21)
GDFL — Forget ladder positions, Geelong West has blasted out of the gates against fourth-ranked favourite East Geelong. The seventh-placed Cheetahs have kicked five straight to East Geelong’s 3.4 (22).
BFL — Hawks midfielders Mitch McGuire and Reece Holwell have been solid early at Torquay’s Spring Creek Reserve.
BFL — A mini melee between Torquay and Drysdale players in the opening term could be looked at by the match review panel. A free kick was paid but no reports made.
GDFL — Underdog Anakie has startled competition leader Bell Post Hill. The Roos have nailed 5.1 (31) to the Panthers’ 2.1 (13) after 20 minutes. Could an upset be brewing?
BFL — Torquay has a serious task on its hands. The devastatingly accurate Drysdale has slotted three straight to the Tigers’ 1.2 (8) after 13 minutes.
BFL — Modewarre has got the early jump against Portarlington, booting 3.3 (21) to the Demons’ single behind after 13 minutes.
BFL — Ocean Grove has had no trouble finding the sticks early. The Grubbers have fired 4.3 (27) to Anglesea’s 2.2 (14) 15 minutes into the first term.
GFL — Scores aplenty in the Lara-Leopold game. The Cats are 2.1 (13) to the Lions’ 3.2 (20).
GFL — Scored stied at 1.3 (9) apiece 12 minutes into the match between Bell Park and South Barwon.
GFL — Geelong Falcon Aaron Christensen will make his senior debut for Lara today. Christensen, a mature-age player in the TAC Cup, pulls on the familiar blue and white jumper against Leopold.
GAME PREVIEWS
GFL
Lara v Leopold
Leopold has moved into the top five and is demanding respect with the way in which it is playing. The Lions must now be considered a serious contender and it will build further momentum when it takes on and easily brushes aside an undermanned Lara.
Grovedale v Colac
If Grovedale wins this match it will go two games clear of Colac and go a long way to setting up its season. But if that happens it will also make life extremely difficult for Colac, who will start to lose touch with the top five.
St Joseph’s v St Mary’s
At the start of the season almost no one would have picked these sides to be playing in a top-of-the-table clash in Round 8, but they are. The Joeys sit on top and will be keen to stay there, though St Mary’s will be striving to take their spot, and will be a big chance to do so.
Newtown & Chilwell v Geelong West-St Peter’s
Newtown & Chilwell has a very good chance to move into second spot on the ladder if it can overcome GWSP as it is expected to do. The Roosters are likely to stick with Newtown & Chilwell for a good part of the game, but will then be left behind as the Eagles soar to victory.
Bell Park v South Barwon
In years gone by a lot of excitement has surrounded the games between as Bell Park and South Barwon as it has normally been a Grand Final. This year though, things are different, and this match won’t be exciting and it definitely isn’t a Grand Final. South Barwon should win comfortably.
St Albans v North Shore
Both of these sides face a similar issue, they are very strong at the start, but both dwindle off towards the end of the game. North Shore will push St Albans for the first half at least, but the Super Saints are playing exciting footy and will make sure this game goes down as a win.
BFL
Anglesea v Ocean Grove
There’s no better time than Saturday for Anglesea to spring a surprise win on its opponents and remind the competition that it is no mug; amazingly it sits in sixth place ahead of Modda and Queenscliff. But the Grubbers should welcome back a couple of key talls that were missing last week, and will be favoured in what will be a good contest.
Modewarre v Portarlington
Footy is welcomed back to the Community Bank Oval in Modewarre for the first time in 2014, so beginning the Warriors’ seven-game streak at their home ground. Modda can take the momentum from last week’s game into a match it will go in as favourites in, while Port will be keen to avenge a below-par performance at home the week prior.
Geelong Amateur v Barwon Heads
The Ammos bandwagon keeps on rolling on, but its next challenge is no easy feat — the unpredictable, enthusiastic young side of Barwon Heads. The Ammos forward line is arguably its biggest threat currently, which is amazing considering how star-studded their midfield and defensive lines are — Damian Zaparenkov working in tandem with Rowan McSparron last week was a treat to watch.
Queenscliff v Newcomb
Queenscliff knows that it is imperative to win every game from here on in to sew up a finals spot., and it would take an astronomical slip-up to not win tomorrow. Top three may be out of the question after the Coutas’ slip-up at home to Modda, but finals is still very much on the cards for a team on the rebound.
Torquay v Drysdale
Despite sitting in fourth position with a 5-3 record, the Tigers haven’t taken any noticeable scalps, although the 101-point defeat of Barwon Heads in Round 2 was an indication of their full-strength dominance. This is their stage to do so. Drysdale, meanwhile, could hardly be better positioned and will go in as warm favourites.
GDFL
Geelong West v East Geelong
Geelong West defeated Thomson last week which keeps them in touch with the top sides; however it is yet to prove its ability to claim one of those top sides on match day. East Geelong is in fine form and bode as a clear top three contender, can the Cheetahs make a statement at home or will the Eagles cruise to its fifth victory in a row?
Anakie v Bell Post Hill
Bell Post Hill prevailed in the grand final rematch, accounting for North Geelong by four points last week. While the Roos fought hard to run over the top of the bottom-placed Devils, they now face the top of the table Panthers in a huge test for the developing club.
Winchelsea v Belmont Lions
The Lions led Werribee for much of last week, but failed at the final hurdle, falling short come the final siren. It now faces another tough challenge in Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve this week. The Blues toppled the third-placed Hawks on the road last week and will be full of confidence, as it welcomes back some key names, making the Blues hard to stop.
Werribee Centrals v Bannockburn
Two of the years more interesting sides, and somewhat unknown capabilities. The Centrals sit in fifth place without claiming a big scalp and nearly going down to the lowly Lions a week ago. While Bannockburn promised much more than its 2-5 record pre-season, it now makes the trip out to Werribee with its season on the line.
North Geelong v Thomson
In unfamiliar territory for the Magpies, they return home off the back of a loss. The reigning premier has played just two matches at its fortress of Keith Barclay Oval and will be raring to go tomorrow afternoon. Thomson put in a far better showing against the Cheetahs last Sunday, but may bear the brunt of a Magpies outfit without its usual weekly dose of four points.
Inverleigh v Corio
Inverleigh will be eager to bounce back after it suffered its first loss since round one last week, succumbing to a switched on Blues outfit. Coach Mark McDowell believed his young side may have got ahead of themselves and will be demanding a better performance. The Devils fell just short against the Roos last week and face a tough task out at Inverleigh Reserve.