Geelong Advertiser |
SOUTH Barwon has started its premiership defence in the best possible way after recording a 46-point win over Grovedale in Saturday’s Grand Final rematch.
With a large crowd and the sun shining, the stage was set for an epic encounter at Burdoo Reserve, but it didn’t live up to the hype.
South Barwon was easily the better side on the day, winning 15.12 (102) to 8.8 (56), but co-coach Matthew Scarlett says there’s still room for improvement.
“We were happy that we played good footy. We played well, but didn’t play our best footy,” Scarlett said.
“I know Round 1 gets built up like it is massive, but it’s only one round and it’s a long season and there is plenty to work on.”
It was a new-look South Barwon that was without several of its 2013 premiership players, but those taking their places were impressive.
Darcy Fort was a standout and named best-on-ground for the Swans, while new recruit, North Gambier dual-premiership captain Adam Kurzman, kicked two.
“We were a little bit uncertain going into Round 1 and we have a lot of new guys in the team this year,” Scarlett said.
“So it’s going to take us a while to gel and play our best footy, but we probably can’t ask for much more than what we dished up today.
“We are a little more versatile this year, a little more athletic and we think we have more leg speed.
“We are trying guys in new positions and we think we are a bit less predictable and it’s going to be hard for teams to plan for us.”
Grovedale and South Barwon players battle for the ball. Source: News Limited
Scarlett showed versatility of his own as the former AFL All-Australian defender played up forward and kicked 5.1.
While it was all smiles in the South Barwon rooms, there wasn’t one to be seen in Grovedale’s. Coach Grant Tanner gave his players a stern dressing down, letting them know their performance wasn’t acceptable.
Following his brutally honest assessment of his side’s performance and his frustration had settled, he said he knows his side are a much better side.
“They don’t scare us or anything. We just didn’t use the ball and we need to improve that,” Tanner said.
“It was just the fundamentals. They didn’t kick a lot of goals through their system, a lot were kicked through our mistakes or turnovers.
“We were competitive and that’s all we can try to be. To their credit they were too good on the day.”
Neither side was at full-strength, although both coaches were confident that would change in the coming weeks.
South Barwon is hoping to have premiership forward Jordan Duncan back from an ankle injury for its Round 2 clash with St Mary’s, while Grovedale is also likely to welcome back Brad Percy and Tom Hunt next week as it takes on North Shore.
However, Adam Donohue and Alex Payne are still a couple of weeks away from returning to the side.
