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Corio's victory has set the scene for a big match against in-form East Geelong - a clash McDowell views as a true test.

"It's a crunch match. I reckon it's going to tell the story," he said. "If we step up against East and beat them, I reckon that will mean we've turned the corner."

Devils ruckman-forward Mark Stewart was unstoppable against Belmont, kicking six goals, four of them in a "dominant" first term.

Jason Bourke was influential with his grunt work up field, while Tosh Utakea provided plenty of run off half-

back.

"I reckon Bourke just laid some fantastic tackles and played a really good game from a coach's point of view," McDowell said.

Another positive for Corio was the emergence of youngster Billy-Jay O'Toole, who kicked four goals in the win and was electric up front. O'Toole, who was best-on-ground in an under-18 win over North Central with six majors, proved he could do it at senior level at the weekend.

The Devils piled on 8.5 with the breeze in the first quarter, with superb big man Stewart showing the way.

Corio dominated every facet of the game to take a huge 46-point lead into the first break.

Then the Lions hit back, holding Corio goalless while kicking five themselves in the second term.

As the wind advantage died off, the home side continued to reel in Corio's lead. A Chris Canavan goal set the tone. And fellow forward Shane Miller set the game alight with three goals as the Lions kicked the first five of seven to hit the front mid-way through the term.

Three crucial goals to Corio before three quarter-time steadied the Devils, giving them handy 19-point lead at the final change.

With the game in the balance, Belmont again challenged, cutting the margin to six points with early goals.

But the Devils answered with three goals in succession. 

MILESTONE
WINCHELSEA captain Andrew Leak celebrated his 200th match for the club in style with the Blues defeating Bannockburn under lights, on a great night for the club. Leak was a strong contributor, kicking two goals and among his side's best players. Winchelsea moves into eighth position, a game outside the top five and with a respectable percentage. The team is in the finals hunt after an impressive past three weeks. Next week's clash against Werribee will be season-defining. 

BAGGED IT
EAST Geelong's win over Thomson was spearheaded by nine goals fromthkey forward Josh Bouwman. The19-year-old has shown glimpses throughout the year of his potential, after kicking 44 goals last season. Bouwman has kicked 22 goals this season and been a consistent focal point for the Eagles. He is coming into great form at the right time of the season as last year's grand finalists mount an assault on the top five.

STANDOUT DUO
THE two standout clubs this season have clearly been Bell Post Hill and North Geelong, with only one loss between them. But both have endured a tough fortnight. The Panthers trailed the bottom-placed Hawks by 16 points at halftime, while Corio came within three goals of them the week previous. North Geelong had a tight tussle with Anakie at home and was pushed by the Blues for a half in Round 8. The results show any team is capable of matching it with the top sides. 

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