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ST Mary’s has stunned GFL premier South Barwon with a tough 28-point win at McDonald Reserve today.

“It’s super important for us,” Vincent.

“We have brought six to eight new guys into the team. We are still feeling each other out a little bit.

“It was important for them to play a tough hard game like today and bond a little bit.

“Today not only getting the win and the four points but to see how the boys looked after each other and played team footy was the highlight.

“We said before the game the scoreboard is irrelevant. We wanted to play the game on our terms and we knew that if we could play on our terms that the scoreboard would look after itself and in the end it did.

“We didn’t bring out A-game last week and it was crucial we bounced back this week and proved to each other what we were capable of.”

A DEVASTATED Lara coach Matt Kershaw has labelled his side’s 87-point loss to Newtown & Chilwell the worst of his coaching career.

The undermanned Cats were totally outplayed by David Wojcinski’s ruthless Eagles as they piled on goals with ease.

Kershaw didn’t hide his disappointment after the match.

“It was my worst loss as a coach,” he said.

“Last week our effort was terrific. But today we just didn’t give a yelp.

“I was just really disappointed with the effort.”

To make matters worse for Lara, Shaydon Bloomfield was yellow carded for striking in the first quarter.

The goalkicking star sat out the start of the second quarter after receiving the card from the goal umpire.

An upbeat Wojcinski said he was “happy with how things went”.

“The conditions were pretty heavy, we didn’t looks sharp, Lara didn’t look sharp. I’m not sure if that was because of the heavy ground or not but it was a good win,” he said.

“It was really good to get our first win at home today.”

ACROSS the three leagues in Geelong it was a round of upsets with Ocean Grove stunning league powerhouse Queenscliff by a massive 82 points.

The Coutas, an unbeatable force in the BFL last year is yet to register a win in 2014.

Limb said his playing group found itself in a “totally different” situation to what it had become accustomed to.

“We played well in patches. But as a group we’ve got to work out why and how we’re going to turn it around, because we definitely need to, that’s for sure,” he said.

The club is missing a number of key players including Nik Orvis and Stephen Owen to injury, but coach Tom Limb will be concerned with where his team finds itself so early in the season.

“At the end of the day, you’re only as good as the side you’ve got out there,” Limb admitted. “Today, to Ocean Grove’s credit, they played a good brand of footy and they look like they’re clicking into gear for the season.”

NORTH GEELONG’S Sam Clark appears to have suffered a broken hand in his team’s 45-point GDFL win over Winchelsea.

Clark went off nursing his hand in the second quarter and was not seen again.

The Magpies were too classy all over the ground for David Mensch’s Blues, with Daniel Kee and Luke Parker dominating.

Coach Darren Ryan was full of praise for his team.

“The most pleasing thing is the care and taking pride in everything you do,” he said.

“The hunger is easy to keep ... if you’ve got pride and you’ve got care everything else will look after itself.

“The one thing they (they group) do have is confidence in each team mate.”

Mensch said his side had to take the step to the “next level”.

“We kept fighting, but we weren’t happy with how we went at all,” he said.

“We want to be a great team ... we’re aiming to try and go to the next level. We want to compete with the likes of North Geelong.

“I told the boys after the match that it’s only Round 2 and you’ve got to be positive and get back on the horse.”

BELL Park held off a fast finishing St Joseph’s to sneak home by a goal.

“Joeys kept coming with their running; they took the game on and proved they could be pretty dangerous. It was a pretty good game, well contested and we’re happy to get a win,” coach Ben Armstrong said.

“In the end it was the individual efforts from our guys in the face of some fair fire to get almost get headed and then back in front; the win showed a great deal of character.”

Leopold ran out too strong for St Albans and Grovedale recorded an east win against North Shore.

IN the BFL, Drysdale strolled home by 45 points over Modewarre.

Tom Dewey and James Chandler kicked three goals each for the Hawks, while Jack Moorfoot netted three for the Warriors.

Geelong Ammos and Anglesea were too strong for Newcomb and Portarlington.

TORQUAY flexed its muscle with a 101-point belting of Barwon Heads. The Tigers kept Barwon Heads scoreless in the first quarter.

Coach Craig McCaughan said it was a complete performance by his side.

“Today, everyone stepped up and it was a great team effort,” he said.

“I don’t think we had any passengers, which was fantastic. It just makes it a lot easier when everyone wants to do the right thing, and follow the game plan and the team rules, which last week we probably went away from a little bit.

“We’re not as one-dimensional as we were last year with obviously Hughesy (Scott Hughes) leaving, which was disappointing at the time, of course, because he’s such a good player.

“It just makes us a lot more versatile now and we can rotate guys. The versatility is one thing that we pride ourselves on now.”

OTHER big results in the GDFL included Inverleigh storming to a 39-point win over East Geelong.

While Bannockburn won a thriller by two points over Thomson.

Scroll down for a quarter-quarter wrap up and all the scores of today’s matches.

THIRD QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

INJURY UPDATE: North Geelong’s Sam Clark has a suspected broken hand.

GFL — Can St Mary’s do it? The Saints have South Barwon’s measure by eight points at the final charge. Expect the Swans to be charging home late.

GFL — A late goal to St Albans has given them a two-point lead against Leopold. This one is going to go right down to the wire.

GFL — Former Cat and Newtown & Chilwell coach David Wojcinski has urged his team to be ruthless against Lara. His side leads by 57 points and he wants more blood to be shed.

BFL — Drysdale has put its foot down against Modewarre with five goals to one giving the Hawks a big advantage at the final change. Steve Bensted and Ben Carmichael playing well for the Hawks. As expected Josh Finch is everywhere for the Warriors.

BFL — Is there a pulse? Queenscliff is 33 points down against Ocean Grove. Can the Coutas pick themselves up off the canvas is the last term?

BFL — Geelong Amateur has put Portarlington to the sword in the third quarter. The Ammos will be looking to extend the margin past 100 points in the last quarter.

GDFL — North Geelong in total control, writer Daniel Short tells s. Winch came out strongly after the main break but the Magpies had all the answers. Hermans day is done for the Blues.

GDFL — Thomson and Bannockburn look set to battle out a close one. The margin is just nine points.

GDFL — East Geelong will need to pull off another fightback today. They are well down to Inverleigh at the final change and look at big odds to pull back the margin.

SECOND QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

REPORTED: Shaydon Bloomfield missed the first part of the second quarter after being yellow carded. The club has been told he was yellow carded for striking.

GFL — Newtown & Chilwell looks in control against Lara. It has been a strong performance by the Eagles who have totally exposed Lara’s lack of depth.

GFL — Second year Bell Park player Lachlan Patten kicked the opening two goals for Bell Park while Chris Lynch against dominated the stats sheet. Joeys kicked the opening two goals, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Dragons kicking away again.

GFL — Grovedale is well in control against North Shore. The margin will blow right out in the second half with the Tigers up by 93 points already.

GFL — St Mary’s is putting up a strong fight against South Barwon, down by just 14 points to the champions.

BFL — Tough second quarter between Drysdale and Modewarre fought out in the middle of the ground. Both sides had the chance to break clear into their forward line, but the scoring load has been shared with 11 individual goal kickers. It was a strong second quarter from Drysdale’s Eddie Hill and second gamer Josh Rushton.

BFL — Queenscliff only managed to drag the margin back a little bit in that quarter. They are missing key players Nik Orvis and Stephen Owen.

BFL — Pashley and Robins having good games for Anglesea. Newcomb has been competitive but starting to drop off now.

GDFL — Werribee Centrals extended its lead on Anakie to be in full control on the match.

GDFL — Bell Post Hill was wasteful in front of goal, racking up 10 behinds in the second quarter against Corio. While still in control, the Panthers could have well and truly put the game to bed by now.

GDFL — A goal on the siren to Winchelsea keeps it in touch, but North Geelong has been by far the cleaner side. Magpie Sam Clark’s day is done with a hand injury. A typically strong North Geelong performance has it in total control.

GDFL — Geelong West looks to have bounced back from last weekend’s loss. It holds a good 23-point lead against surprise packets Belmont Lions at the main break.

DAY OVER: For North Geelong’s Sam Clark. He has a hand injury.

MISSING: Ben Johnson missed for Bell Park with a knee injury. He has knee issues during pre-season.

 

FIRST QUARTER SNAPSHOTS

GFL — Casey Tutungi and James Garvey unveiled South Barwon’s premiership flag before the bounce of the Swans match against St Mary’s.

GFL — Bell Park dominated the opening quarter against St Joseph’s to take a 4.4 to 1.1 lead at the first break. The scoreboard doesn’t reflect the control Bell Park has on the match. Chris Lynch had a mountain of ball for the Dragons. Dan Measures winning a lot of it for the Joeys.

GFL — Newtown & Chilwell was wasteful with its opportunities according to GFL footy expert Nick Brown. The Eagles lead 4.6 to 2.2.

GFL — Grovedale has gone out to a 37 point quarter time lead thanks to the help of a strong breeze. North Shore is putting up a fight, but the Tigers have quality over the ground. The Seagulls need a big second quarter.

BFL — A late goal to Jack Moorfoot helped Modewarre pull back some ground on Drysdale. kicking with a strong breeze Drysdale lead 6.1 to 2.2. Daniel Gage is having a big game in the ruck for the Hawks.

BFL — Portarlington is holding strong against Ammos, just 19 points down at the first change.

BFL — Queenscliff is on the ropes in its game with Ocean Grove. The Grubbers have put in a massive first term to lead the league powerhouse by 37 points.

BFL — Already ominous signs at Howard Harmer Reserve with Torquay 44 points up after holding Barwon Heads scoreless. There is a howling crossground wind, BFL writer Matt Gibbs reports.

GDFL — Werribee 4.2 leads Anakie 2.4, but the Kangaroos would be happy with their opening quarter against a strong side.

GDFL — North Geelong hold a 4.1 to 0.1 lead at the first break against Winchelsea. The Magpies have the help of a strong breeze but have dominated play from the start. Pittman, Kee and Parker are having big games for the boys in black and white.

INJURY: North Geelong star Sam Clark’s day may be over with a hand or finger complaint.

 

TODAY’S MATCHES

 

GFL

Grovedale v North Shore

QTR TIME: Grovedale 8.1 (49) North Shore 1.0 (6)

HALF TIME: Grovedale 16.3 (99) North Shore 1.0 (6)

3QTR TIME: Grovedale 20.9 (129) North Shore 2.0 (12)

FULL TIME: Grovedale 27.12 (174) North Shore 4.0 (24)

Preview: Last year’s runners-up, Grovedale, will look to bounce back from a disappointing Round 1 loss when it takes on struggling North Shore. The Tigers fell a long way short of South Barwon last week, but the positive for coach Grant Tanner’s team is they have an early gauge of the level they need to reach this season. Expect the Tigers to show no mercy to the Seagulls, who managed just one goal against Newtown last week. Grovedale by 90 points.

 

Bell Park v St Joseph’s

QTR TIME: Bell Park 4.4 (28) St Joseph’s 1.2 (8)

HALF TIME: Bell Park 7.7 (49) St Joseph’s 3.6 (24)

3QTR TIME: Bell Park 9.10 (64) St Joseph’s 6.10 (46)

FULL TIME: Bell Park 11.13 (79) St Joseph’s 6.10 (46)

Preview: Are the mighty Bell Park on the slide? That is the question being asked after a disappointing Round 1 loss to Leopold. Today, the Dragons face a team that will be among those pushing to take their place in the top five. The Joeys were brilliant in the season opener, defeating St Mary’s comfortably, and they appear to be developing at a rapid rate under Heath Jamieson. Young teams can be notoriously inconsistent, but the result of this one could have ramifications late in the season, so expect Joeys to continue their strong start. St Joseph’s by 12 points.

Leopold v St Albans

QTR TIME: Leopold 1.3 (9) St Albans 1.2 (8)

HALF TIME: Leopold 5.5 (35) St Albans 4.3 (27)

3QTR TIME: Leopold 7.10 (52) St Albans 8.6 (54)

FULL TIME: Leopold 10.12 (72) St Albans 9.9 (57)

Preview: LEOPOLD’S season got off to the ideal start when it overcame Bell Park. And the Lions will see this clash as a golden opportunity to cash in on some crucial early wins. An added bonus for Leopold was star Werribee recruit Tom Ruggles being cleared by the tribunal on a technicality on Wednesday night, leaving him free to play and build on his best on ground performance in Round 1. St Albans coach Clinton Proctor will be demanding an immediate response from his team after it was overrun by Geelong West-St Peter’s last weekend.

 

South Barwon v St Mary’s

QTR TIME: South Barwon 1.7 (13) St Mary’s 1.3 (9)

HALF TIME: South Barwon 4.8 (32) St Mary’s 2.6 (18)

3QTR TIME: South Barwon 6.9 (45) St Mary’s 7.11 (53)

FULL TIME: South Barwon 8.10 (58) St Mary’s 12.14 (86)

Preview: It’s a scary thought to think South Barwon won last weekend’s Grand Final rematch by 46 and without playing its best footy.

The reigning premier will look to take it up a notch against the Saints who were disappointing in their Round 1 loss.

On paper St Mary’s has a list to match it with most sides in the GFL, but matching it with South Barwon on the day is a different story and it won’t happen this time around. South Barwon by 40 points.

 

Newtown & Chilwell v Lara

QTR TIME: N & C 4.7 (31) Lara 2.2 (14)

HALF TIME: N & C 10.10 (70) Lara 3.4 (22)

3QTR TIME: N & C 14.15 (99) Lara 6.6 (42)

FULL TIME: N & C 20.21 (141) Lara 8.6 (54)

Preview: LARA impressed in Round 1, despite eventually going down to Colac in Colac. The Cats won’t be alone in that fate this year. But their depth will be tested here after suffering a few injuries in the first-up loss and with a hungry Newtown awaiting. The Eagles were ruthless in their season opener, keeping North Shore to just one goal, and new coach David Wojcinski would be demanding that defensive intensity remain at that level. Newtown by 21 points.

BFL

Drysdale v Modewarre

QTR TIME: Drysdale 7.1 (44) Modewarre 2.2 (14)

HALF TIME: Drysdale 9.6 (60) Modewarre 4.5 (29)

3QTR TIME: Drysdale 14.11 (95) Modewarre 5.6 (36)

FULL TIME: Drysdale 17.12 (114) Modewarre 10.9 (69)

Preview: The Hawks will enter this match with confidence, having knocked off reigning three-time premier Queenscliff in a one-sided encounter last week. Arguably, Drysdale wasn’t playing at its best either, which makes the prospect of a full-strength Hawks side an ominous one.

 

Barwon Heads v Torquay

QTR TIME: BH 0.0 (0) Torquay 6.8 (44)

HALF TIME: BH 2.4 (16) Torquay 11.10 (76)

3QTR TIME: BH 4.2 (26) Torquay 21.14 (140)

FULL TIME: BH 4.13 (37) Torquay 20.13 (138)

Preview: The Seagulls’ versatile forward line could prove hard to

handle, but Torquay generally has the quality to be able to drop back a

couple of midfielders to help ease the pressure across the backline. Another

match that has the potential to go either way.

 

Ocean Grove v Queenscliff

QTR TIME: OG 6.5 (41) Queenscliff 0.4 (4)

HALF TIME: OG 7.8 (50) Queenscliff 2.4 (16)

3QTR TIME: OG 11.11 (77) Queenscliff 6.8 (44)

FULL TIME: OG 19.12 (126) Queenscliff 9.11 (44)

Preview: We’re told not to read too much into Round 1 — the Coutas won’t have too many more scoreless quarters while the Grubbers won’t win every match by nearly 200 points. But good teams don’t stay down for long, and Queenscliff will be keen to stop any suggestions its demise is imminent.

 

Geelong Amateur v Portarlington

QTR TIME: Ammos 2.9 (21) Portarlington 1.3 (9)

HALF TIME: Ammos 7.12 (54) Portarlington 4.5 (29)

3QTR TIME: Ammos 18.13 (121) Portarlington 5.7 (37)

FULL TIME: Ammos 23.13 (151) Portarlington 9.10 (64)

Preview: Port will be out to achieve some “small victories” as it faces league powerhouse Geelong Amateur. Port should realistically look to set defensive targets for each quarter, but it’s an A-list at Queens Park, and the Ammos should get the job done comfortably.

 

Newcomb v Anglesea

QTR TIME: Newcomb 2.1 (13) Anglesea 8.6 (54)

HALF TIME: Newcomb 4.2 (26) Anglesea 13.9 (87)

3QTR TIME: Newcomb 4.2 (26) Anglesea 13.9 (87)

FULL TIME: Newcomb 7.3 (45) Anglesea 29.14 (188)

Preview: This may be the Seas’ last chance for a win in over a month, with Barwon Heads, Queenscliff, Ammos, Torquay and Drysdale to come. It’s also “backs against the wall” for Newcomb, although it’s evident this young, inexperienced side will take time to jell. Expect a close game.

GDFL

Werribee Centrals v Anakie

QTR TIME: WC 4.2 (26) Anakie 2.4 (16)

HALF TIME: WC 11.4 (70) Anakie 4.5 (29)

3QTR TIME: WC 15.5 (95) Anakie 7.6 (48)

FULL TIME: WC 22.9 (141) Anakie 8.9 (57)

Preview: Werribee were immensely impressive in their first up win over Geelong West, with a close to full list at their disposal and new recruits in fine form, they look primed for another strong performance. Whereas, Anakie wore the full brunt of the reigning premiers North Geelong, going down by 118 points. The young Roos will be eager for a better showing against the Centrals, a side they upset last year.

 

North Geelong v Winchelsea

QTR TIME: North Geelong 4.2 (26) Winchelsea 0.1 (1)

HALF TIME: North Geelong 8.7 (55) Winchelsea 3.2 (20)

3QTR TIME: North Geelong 13.9 (87) Winchelsea 6.4 (40)

FULL TIME: North Geelong 17.9 (111) Winchelsea 10.6 (66)

Preview: North Geelong began the season in stellar style with a huge win over Anakie, they now return to Keith Barclay Oval where they were undefeated throughout 2013. While the Blues accounted for Bannockburn last week led by David Mensch with eight goals, they now prepare for the ultimate test as they take on the Magpies.

 

Inverleigh v East Geelong

QTR TIME: Inverleigh 3.1 (19) East Geelong 3.2 (20)

HALF TIME: Inverleigh 9.4 (58) East Geelong 6.3 (39)

3QTR TIME: Inverleigh 14.7 (91) East Geelong 10.10 (70)

FULL TIME: Inverleigh 19.10 (124) East Geelong 12.13 (85)

Preview: The Hawks were impressive in the first half against last year’s Grand Finalists in Bell Post Hill and again have a stern test against another 2013 finalist in East Geelong. The Eagles got their season off to a winning start courtesy of a 13 — goal final term. Early wins will be pivotal, something that escaped them given their injury list of 12 months ago.

 

Corio v Bell Post Hill

QTR TIME: Corio 1.1 (7) BPH 3.5 (23)

HALF TIME: Corio 3.1 (19) BPH 7.15 (57)

3QTR TIME: Corio 4.1 (25) BPH 14.21 (105)

FULL TIME: Corio 5.1 (31) BPH 21.28 (154)

Preview: After a sluggish start Bell Post Hill prevailed over the Hawks by 19-points, while Corio suffered a disappointing loss to Belmont. This will be another tough encounter for the Devils as the Panthers look to adjust following the departure of some key names.

 

Belmont Lions v Geelong West

QTR TIME: Belmont Lions 3.1 (19) Geelong West 3.4 (22)

HALF TIME: Belmont Lions 4.2 (26) Geelong West 6.13 (49)

3QTR TIME: Belmont Lions 8.5 (53) Geelong West 10.18 (78)

FULL TIME: Belmont Lions 13.6 (84) Geelong West 15.22 (112)

Preview: The Lions got off to the perfect start under new coach David McKiernan, with a convincing 10-goal win over Corio while for the Cheetahs is was the opposite end of the spectrum with a horrid loss at home to the Centrals. Coach Nick Washington vowed to have his side produce a better performance this week but it will be tough going against a confident new look Belmont side.

 

Thomson v Bannockburn

QTR TIME: Thomson 6.4 (40) Bannockburn 5.4 (34)

HALF TIME: Thomson 7.4 (46) Bannockburn 5.4 (34)

3QTR TIME: Thomson 9.4 (58) Bannockburn 10.7 (67)

FULL TIME: Thomson 12.8 (80) Bannockburn 12.10 (82)

Preview: Both sides will be looking to claim their first win of 2014 this weekend. Thomson stayed with East Geelong for three quarters only to be overrun in the last while Bannockburn struggled early against the Blues; this promises to be close contest between two sides vying for similar ladder position.

 

 

EARLIER

ACTION not far from getting underway in the GFL, BFL and GDFL.

There has been a lot of rain around this morning and early this afternoon so expect to seem the matches played in pretty slippery conditions.

We will have updates as soon as anything happens.

 

Reserves snapshots:

BFL — Drysdale has flown home to knock off Modewarre by one point in a tense final quarter.

BFL — Geelong Ammos had a big win over Portarlington. Final scores 21.17 to 5.3.

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