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OCEAN Grove inflicted Drysdale’s first loss of the season in an Easter BFL blockbuster on Saturday afternoon.

The Grubbers remain unbeaten after three rounds after beating the Hawks 18.9 (117) to 12.10 (82).

Taking full advantage of the breeze, Ocean Grove opened up a four-goal lead at quarter time before Drysdale returned fire in the second to be eight points up at the main change.

But the host rallied in the third, with multiple goal kicker Travis Gavin helping the Grubbers to a 30-point lead at three-quarter-time.

Drysdale fought hard early in the last but Ocean Grove held on, with Kelly Williams sealing the deal from a 45-metre set shot.

Hawks coach John Fitzgerald said the Grubbers’ “mature minds” were something to aspire to.

“Their good players played really well (and) stood up and carried the younger blokes with them,” he said.

Gavin finished with six.

Drysdale’s Tom Dewey and Paul Davis produced eight goals between them.

“We’re pretty happy with our output, but we just didn’t have enough inside 50s,” Fitzgerald said.

“We got smashed on that, so we lost it through the midfield.

“When we got it in there, we were dangerous, but we just didn’t get it in there enough.”

Ocean Grove retain top spot on the ladder.

 

In other matches, Anglesea, Portarlington and Geelong Amateur all recorded big wins.

 

AN alleged incident believed to be between Anglesea defender Tom Midolo and Barwon Heads forward Daniel Hovey will be investigated by the match review panel.

The incident, which left Hovey flat on the ground, occurred in the first quarter of the hard-fought contest at Alcoa Oval, where the Roos backed up their 30-goal landslide against Newcomb with a 62-point win over the Seagulls.

Football manager David Robertson said Anglesea was maturing every week.

“It was a good, hard, gutsy win,” he said.

“Both sides played well.”

The host was a kick in front at quarter time before expanding the difference to three goals at the main change.

An 11-goal-to-three last half handed Anglesea its second consecutive win of the season.

“We had 13 new blokes in the side against Modewarre in round one — and we were probably a bit underdone,” Robertson said.

“But we had most of the same guys in against Barwon Heads.

“Our attitude is improving every week.”

Gus Bourke finished with four goals for the Roos.


PORTARLINGTON
secured its first four points of the season with a 174-point demolition of competition battler Newcomb.

Demons Mathew Sproule said it was a much-needed victory for the club — and its supporters — after difficult starts against Barwon Heads and Geelong Amateur.

“We’ve got to put a good performance up for people who want to invest in the footy club emotionally,” he said.

Port teenager Jack Stewart finished with five goals in his third senior game.

Newcomb’s two goals came in the first and third terms.

 

GEELONG Amateur half-forward Tim Clark took a Jonathan Brown-inspired mark in the first quarter against Queenscliff, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

Running back with the flight, Clark claimed the ball in the forward pocket and converted with a goal.

It was one of his four contributions to Ammos’ 19.12 (126) win against Queenscliff 10.4 (64).

On-baller Baden Dodd had a day out, booting three goals as a result of a stellar four-quarter effort.

Ben Lavars and Damien Zaparenkov bagged four each.

For the Coutas, Caleb Mason kicked five.

Ammos remain unbeaten while reigning premier Queenscliff are yet to win this season.

 

 

FOURTH QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

 

— DEMONS dominant, Power diabolical, according to BFL footy writer Matt Gibbs. Final scores Portarlington 28.20 (188) to Newcomb 2.2 (14).

 

-OCEAN Grove’s Kelly Williams converts a set shot from 45 metres to seal the win for the Grubbers against Drysdale.

 

-TEN minutes of intense footy in the middle before Ocean Grove managed a goal, should see them home with 25 minutes gone.

 

-DRYSDALE link up well from a kick in, Jason Kennedy switches play and the ball falls to Jackson Ristevski, who goals from a metre out. Gap closed to 25 points against Ocean Grove at the 18-minuet mark.

 

-OCEAN Grove’s Travis Gavin now has six for the day, helping the Grubbers to a 28-point lead at the 10-minute mark.

 

-KICKING with the breeze, Drysdale was quick to reduce the margin to 24 points early in the last term. But Gavin replied with his fifth goal of the day to return the difference to 30. The Hawks fired back straight via Brent Taylor.

 

-RECORD books are coming out at Portarlington. The Demons are leading Newcomb by 167 points. Our journo Matt Gibbs thinks it could be Port’s biggest win in decades.

 

-PORTARLINGTON teenager Jack Stewart now has six goals and is being rested for the last term. Nathan Bissett and Pete Rutherford have four each.

 

 

THIRD QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

 

-THE massive crowd at Ocean Grove is sheltered from the breeze so many are surprised to see its impact on the game. The host took full advantage of the wind in the third term to recover its lead, kicking away to a 30-point lead at the last change. Drysdale failed to score a major in the third quarter.

 

-OCEAN Grove’s Travis Gavin has booted four, while Tom Dewey and Paul Davis have contributed four and three each for Drysdale.

 

-PORTARLINGTON teenager Jack Stewart is having a field day against Newcomb at Portarlington Recreation Reserve. The 19-year-old has booted five goals and has taken plenty of strong marks inside 50. What’s more impressive, it’s only his third senior game.

 

-NEWCOMB kicked its second goal of the day on the three-quarter-time siren, but still trail by 126 points.

 

-ANGLESEA’S Gus Bourke, Luke Norton and Matthew Kennedy have bagged two goals each against Barwon Heads. Roos football manager David Robertson said his side was playing well against tough opposition.

 

 

SECOND QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

 

-IT’S game on at Ocean Grove, with the unbeaten host surrendering its four-goal lead from quarter time. Drysdale, also unbeaten, chipped back in the second term to be eight points ahead at the main break.

 

-NEWCOMB forward Daniel Mallon suffered a nasty cut to the head early in the second quarter. He came off the field bleeding. Could need stitches.

 

-PORTARLINGTON has held Newcomb to the single goal, while kicking away to an 87-point advantage.

 

-GEELONG Amateur has kicked clear of undermanned three-time reigning premier Queenscliff. The match is a tale of two contrasting fortunes. Ammos have loaded up on star recruits this season in a bid to give the premiership a major shake, while the Coutas are scraping the bottom of the barrel due to a spate of injuries.

 

-THERE is no immediate relief in sight for the Coutas either, with interleague ruckman Nik Orvis, star defender Steve Owen and Roscoe Holmes among a core group of players unlikely to have an impact before mid-season. At half time, Queenscliff trails by six goals.

 

FIRST QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

 

-PORTARLINGTON is looking a class above Newcomb at Portarlington Recreation Reserve. The Demons slammed on six goals in the first term, tracking nicely to collect their first win of the season.

 

-NEWCOMB’S only goal came with the assistance of a 50-metre penalty.

 

-OUR man on the spot Matt Gibbs says Portarlington is playing with vigour and hitting targets well.

 

-OCEAN Grove got the jump early on Drysdale, leading by four goals at quarter time. Both sides are unbeaten.

 

-GEELONG Amateur booted nine goals in the first term to Queenscliff’s four. The Coutas face an uphill battle if they want to collect their first win of 2014.

 

TODAY’S MATCHES

 

Anglesea vs. Barwon Heads

 

FULL TIME: Anglesea 18.10 (118) Barwon Heads 7.14 (56)

 

THREE QTR TIME: Anglesea 12.6 (78) Barwon Heads 5.10 (40)

 

HALF TIME: Anglesea 7.6.(48) Barwon Heads 4.5 (29)

 

QTR TIME: Anglesea 3.3 (21) Barwon Heads 2.3 (15)

 

Preview:

Barwon Heads will look to cut open its opponent’s midfield with pace and ferocity, something it lacked last Saturday as Torquay forced a slower, more direct game style. What’s pleasing for Anglesea is how it played a true four-quarter performance last week. This is a fired up Anglesea, who won’t go in as favourites but do have the potential to cause an upset.

One to watch: Ryan Dalhaus (Ang) — Booted a bag of six goals last week and has slotted straight into the forward line from Leopold.

Last time they met: Rd 10, 2013: Barwon Heads 26.18 (174) d Anglesea 6.3 (39)

Tip: Barwon Heads by 28 points

 

 

 

Ocean Grove vs. Drysdale

 

FULL TIME: Ocean Grove 18.9 (117) Drysdale 12.10 (82)

 

THREE QTR TIME: Ocean Grove 14.7 (91) Drysdale 9.7 (61)

 

HALF TIME: Ocean Grove 8.4 (52) Drysdale 9.6 (60)

 

QTR TIME: Ocean Grove 6.3 (39) Drysdale 2.2 (14)

 

Preview:

It’s hard to judge which team goes into this game with more pressure on them — if either should have any pressure at all. Last week wasn’t a game Ocean Grove was expected to win, but it did. It’s basically the same situation today, but maybe there’s a bit more expectation placed on the home side now we’ve seen what they can do.

One to watch: James Chandler (Drys) — The former Seagull fit in well last year at Drysdale and has started 2014 in goalscoring form.

Last time they met: Rd 10, 2013: Drysdale 17.9 (111) d Ocean Grove 12.12 (84)

Tip: Drysdale by 7 points

 

 

 

Portarlington vs. Newcomb

 

FULL TIME: Portarlington 28.20 (188) Newcomb 2.2 (14)

 

THREE QTR TIME: Portarlington 21.13 (139) Newcomb 2.1 (13)

 

HALF TIME: Portarlington 14.10 (94) Newcomb 1.1 (7)

 

QTR TIME: Portarlington 6.4 (40) Newcomb 1.0 (6)

 

Preview:

These battles of the lower sides provide great entertainment simply because of the opportunity they provide for a rare victory to either side. The Demons raised a few eyebrows last weekend when they pushed powerhouse Geelong Amateur for a half of footy, trailing by only four goals at the long break. Mathew Sproule has his team well drilled and would be hoping for a win today.

One to watch: Chris Daniele (Port) — The new recruit was a focal point up forward against the Ammos and should be a key target again tomorrow.

Last time they met: Rd 10, 2013: Newcomb 13.12 (90) d Portarlington 8.7 (55)

Tip: Portarlington by 33 points

 

 

 

Queenscliff vs. Geelong Amateur

 

FULL TIME: Queenscliff 10.4 (64) Geelong Amateurs 19.12 (126)

 

THREE QTR TIME: Queenscliff 7.4 (46) Geelong Amateur 16.7 (103)

 

HALF TIME: Queenscliff 5.2 (32) Geelong Amateur 11.4 (70)

 

QTR TIME: Queenscliff 4.1 (25) Geelong Amateur 9.3 (57)

 

Preview:

This is it, a tantalising contest that could define seasons — in just Round 3. The scenarios that arise out of each team winning are fascinating. If the Coutas are to topple Geelong Amateur, in what would be called a minor upset, it proves that Tom Limb’s men are back. If the Ammos are to win, it would put Queenscliff in the unenviable position of 0-3 on the ladder. Get ready for a cracker of a game, folks.

One to watch: Luke Souter (GA) — Looks to be back to his 2012 best after swinging between seniors and reserves last year.

Last time they met: PF, 2013: Queenscliff 12.14 (86) d Geelong Amateur 6.15 (51)

Tip: Geelong Amateur by 14 points

 

 

 

Torquay vs. Modewarre

 

PLAYING TONIGHT

 

Preview:

The Tigers get another shot at impressing their home fans on home turf in the Saturday night game. Torquay coach Craig McCaughan commented post-match last week on how he felt his side’s new-found versatility up forward — since the off-season departure of century goal kicker Scott Hughes — has been a massive plus. It’s hard to disagree.

One to watch: Pierson Bennett (Tor) — Versatile player who has started well to the season, taking his opportunities in the senior side.

Last time they met: Rd 10, 2013: Torquay 23.9 (147) d Modewarre 9.10 (64)

Tip: Torquay by 40 points

 

 

YESTERDAY

 

COLAC upstaged Geelong West-St Peter’s by 62 points in the GFL’s Good Friday blockbuster yesterday. NICK BROWN was there.

 

THERE is a clear gap between Colac and Geelong West-St Peters, but coach Terry Bright believes the gap isn’t as big as it once was.

The young Roosters were ‘found out’ in several areas in the 62-point loss, after wasting numerous opportunities to have potentially won the match.

Bright said he was pleased with the effort shown and the development of his side and is confident that they will continue to improve.

“We just haven’t quite got the polish just yet, but there are some really positive signs,” Bright said post-match.

“They’re a good side obviously, they were a lot bigger than us.

“From our point of view it shows we can match it with them for a fair way, and we’ll only get better.”

In the opening term, both sides had plenty of the ball and plenty of inside 50s, the difference was Colac converted and GWSP didn’t.

The disappointing first quarter saw the Roosters hand Colac a five-goal head start and despite the Roosters’ best efforts, they were never able to recover.

The momentum swung a lot throughout the match, though Colac always held a buffer of about 20 points.

In the all-important third quarter the Roosters outscored the Tigers kicking 4.6 to 2.3 to get themselves right back in the match.

At the start of the final quarter GWSP then looked a real chance of causing an upset, but it wasn’t to be as Colac came home strong.

“The first quarter probably cost us any chance we had of winning the game,” Said Bright.

“Kicking into the breeze they (Colac) outscored us, and we were chasing tail.

“In the third quarter we probably could have been level at three quarter time if we had have kicked straight.

“Then they probably got three or four goals late in junk time in the last quarter, but until then, I thought we were right up among them.”

The Roosters put in a gallant effort, only to come away with a 10-goal loss, though Bright was pleased with certain aspects and disappointed with others.

Bright spoke highly of Colac who he said he regard as a benchmark side, and will use the Tigers as another gauge to where his side is at later in the year.

“I thought we worked really hard, I am not saying we played really well, but we worked really hard,” He said.

“People will say a nine-goal loss is a fairly big loss, but I don’t think it told the full story of how the game went.

“But I’ll be looking forward to playing them again in the second half of the year. “

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