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SOUTH Barwon has ended its three match losing streak with a 29-point victory over league-leader Newtown & Chilwell.
It was a crucial return to form for the Eagles, which heading into today’s game sat with one with from its opening four matches.
It now goes to 2-3 and keeps in-touch with the GFL’s top teams a week out from the interleague break.
“They boys have been working hard on the track and it’s good to get that reward. The pressure has been on, it’s not normal for South to be losing,” Swans coach Warwick Knuckey said.
“Today was a hard-fought game and it was a real grind for three quarters until we were able to break it open.
“It was a huge game for us today.”
But the biggest result looks likely to have come at Drew Oval, with St Joseph’s knocking off hot premiership contender Grovedale by 40 points.
The Joeys controlled the match after quarter time to record the biggest win of Heath Jamieson’s reign at the club.
St Joseph’s is now perfectly positioned heading into the interleague break in a fortnight. It faces a struggling North Shore next week before the bye.
“There was probably a bit more talk about sending a message today,” coach Heath Jamieson said.
“We beat South who are probably not going as well as they have in the past and we faced St Marys in Round 1 which is what we were probably lucky with so we hadn’t really beaten a side in the last couple of weeks who were up and firing — we felt Grovedale held that criteria.”
BARWON HEADS won the BFL’s Battle of the Bridge against rivals Ocean Grove by 42 points.
The Seagulls were led by new recruits Tim and Mitchell Wight and Chris Martin who bagged at least 10 goals between them in the memorable win.
Barwon Heads coach Peter O’Conner said what the Seagulls do next is just as important as the four points against the Grubbers.
“It’s been a bit of a millstone around our neck in some ways, because it’s easy to get up for the Battle of the Bridge and our performances fluctuate from the level of intensity we get in (these fixtures) to what we served up against Torquay or Anglesea,” O’Conner said.
“What I’ve been stressing to the players is that the intensity that we get in the Battle of the Bridge should be our normal standard.”
O’Conner said he had ironed out a few issues with Barwon Heads’ game plan which has resulted in the team moving to 4-2.
“I think there were some confused messages that I was giving them about how much we wanted to defend and how much we wanted to attack, and we weren’t getting it right. We’ve adjusted that since then and our last three games have been pretty good,” he said.
CORIO players sung the song in the middle of the ground after the Devils notched up their first win of 2014.
In a tense match, Corio kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to seal the 15.12 (102) to 13.8 (86) victory.
Corio coach Barry O’Toole said his young team showed fresh legs when the game was on the line.
“We’ve got about 15 blokes under the age of 20, so the futures really bright. I’ve signed probably 85 per cent of them for the next couple of years, (to) get some stability in the club,” O’Toole said.
“That was one the points I made at three quarter-time, to really use the younger blokes and really run over the top of them and I think we did that.
Thomson coach Stuart Jones said after the match said his team was a “long way” off the GDFL’s best.
“(I’m a) bit gutted to be honest ... bit disappointed that the group just didn’t stick to what we talk about and what we try to implement,” Jones said.
“We’re a long way away from being a top side, but we’re building and hopefully the group can believe in my structures and their belief in their own ability.
“We’re a long way away from gelling as a group, but we’ll stick to it and we’ll try and stay positive.”
Thomson star Jackson Macleod left the ground with a shoulder injury during the second term, but played out the rest of the game.
Jones pushed his matchwinner forward in the final term, but Macleod couldn’t drag the Tigers over the line.
Playing against his old side, Tiger Brad Huhn was taken off on a stretcher right on the final siren with a knee injury.
GFL: Bell Park launched itself to a massive 92-point victory over GWSP.
It was the perfect return to form for the struggling Dragons, which controlled the match for almost the whole contest.
“Today was pleasing but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves because we have to get ready for Grovedale and Newtown over the next couple of weeks,” Dragons coach Ben Armstrong said.
“We had some pretty good stats; we bounced back from the ones we had fallen away from including tackles where we recorded over 100.
“We’ve shown patches of pretty good footy over the journey, today we had a few out and we know what it feels like for them to be in that position (losing key players before the start of the game).
“The guys were pretty keen to come out and play some proper Bell Park football which we did for a majority of the day; that was pleasing.”
Roosters coach Terry Bright labelled the loss as his team’s worst for the season.
“The three losses that we have had have been by too much and right now we have to reassess we’re we are at as a football club,” Bright said.
“We lost a couple (of players) during the week but at the end of the day Bell Park had lost a couple as well.
“Today we didn’t give a yelp early which I thought was disappointing because I thought our boys had taken a few steps forward but not on today’s performance.
“The big centre wicket being muddy helped their big bodies and they were fantastic, take nothing away from them, Ben (Armstrong) and his boys had to hit back today and they hit hard.”
St Mary’s recorded a comfortable 48-point win over Lara.
The Saints were lethal with a nine goal to zero first quarter setting up the victory.
Colac couldn’t have been more impressive against St Albans, running out 84 point winners.
As expected star forward Jake McGuane was a monster up forward kicking a bag of goals.
North Shore withered after showing some resistance in the first quarter against Leopold to suffer a 166-point crushing.
“The first quarter was really pleasing. It felt like a real 50-50 quarter,” co-coach Jason Davenport said.
“We had really good enthusiasm and energy, but then that diminished quite quickly.
“In the end it was quite disappointing, and we have to move on as quickly as we can”
Leopold’s coach Steve Clark he asked his team to be more attacking this weekend.
“I thought over the last few weeks we had fallen into too much of a defensive mindset, but this week we were able to work both ways,” Clark said.
“I was rapt with the win, but too be honest I wasn’t worried about the scoreboard. It was more about rectifying where we had gone wrong the last few weeks.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way we went about it today’
BFL: Drysdale fought back but fell just short of Geelong Ammos in its 13-point loss.
The Hawks missed star Brent Taylor late as it kicked five goals to one in a tense finish.
Paul Davis and Jake Simons were crucial for the Hawks, while Tim Clark and Baden Dodd had a big impact for Ammos.
Newcomb has been held goal-less by a firing Modewarre, which cruised to a massive 224-point win at Grinter Reserve.
A point in the second and also quarters is all the struggling Power could get.
Torquay run out comfortable winners against Anglesea.
Torquay’s ruckman Andre Lister continued his blistering form with another best on ground performance, while Isaac Baker booted five goals in the win.
“Andre played 80 per cent in the ruck and he was amazing for us. Our midfield was really good too and they were on top for most of the game,” Torquay coach Craig McCaughan said.
“We kicked away a little bit. Our forwards had a purple patch for a little bit.
“They were really competitive and they were really quick and they moved the ball well.
In the final game of the round Queenscliff proved too good for Portarlington.
GDFL: Bell Post Hill continues its good start to the season with a comfortable 66-point win over Winchelsea.
The Blues stayed with the Panthers for three quarters, but were kept goal-less in the final term as the powerhouse kicked away.
Belmont Lions has slipped to 1-4 after a 51-point pounding by Bannockburn. The Tigers were too strong in slippery conditions
East Geelong was 75 points too good for Anakie.
Inverleigh dominated after half time to crush Geelong West by 64 points.
North Geelong was 10 goals too strong for Werribee Centrals.
THREE QUARTER TIME SNAPSHOTS:
INJURY UPDATE: Thomson’s Jackson Macleod is out and playing still. But he has started the final term up forward. He is a goalkicker and a matchwinner. Could this be the move that brings the Tigers into the game?
BFL: Chris Martin banged home a big goal from 60m out to put a nail in Ocean Grove’s coffin. The margin has gone out to 20 points and the Grubbers are playing like a team with its fate sealed.
BFL: Margin out to 153 points between Modewarre and Newcomb. Newcomb still yet to kick a goal. Ugly.
BFL: Ammos in control against Drysdale with the margin now out to 31 points.
GFL: Adam Donohue limping a bit with what could be a slight back niggle. Joe Macula has three goals, leaving with Grovedale with it all to do. The Tigers are down by 43 points at the final change.
GFL: Leopold has all the play and North Shore is struggling to make an impact in a horribly one-sided match. North Shore’s last score was a behind late in the second term. Leopold with the last 14 goals of the game.
GFL: Could the run be over? South Barwon holds a three-point lead at three-quarter-time against Newtown & Chilwell. This could change the club’s fortunes around bigtime.
GFL: Things are turning ugly for Geelong West-St Peters. The Roosters haven’t kicked a goal since the late stages of the first quarter. The margin is out to 79 points. The Dragon Wagon is back!
GDFL: It’s all perfectly set for a thrilling finish between Thomson and Corio. Daniel Harrison booted his fourth on the siren which gives Corio a two-point lead. Can it win its first game for the season?
GDFL: Bell Post Hill has been made to work against Winchelsea, but is likely to win. The Panthers are up by 29 points at the final change.
GDFL: Geelong West is the first team to crack as Inverleigh stretched the margin out to 37 points. A seven goal to three term has set up the comfortable lead.
HALF TIME SNAPSHOTS:
INJURY: Thomson star Jackson Macleod has performed a miraculous recovery. The captain run off carrying what looked be a serious shoulder injury, especially by his body language. He reappeared shortly after and returned to the ground.
BFL: Geelong Ammos has really put the foot down. The Ammos had seven scoring shots to one in a game played mainly in their forward half. Game sits at a 30-point margin and Drysdale has some work to do. Warren Filayson working hard despite the margin.
BFL: Modewarre has a big 85-point lead at the main break against Newcomb. A point late in the quarter is Newcomb’s only score for the game.
BFL: Barwon Heads is starting to take control, holding a 17-point lead at quarter time against Ocean Grove. The Grubbers are getting the ball forward, but really struggling for height in a tough, close game.
BFL: Torquay has wrestled back control against Anglesea to lead by 14 points. It’s been a big test for the Tigers with the Seas not failing under the pressure.
GFL: Grovedale looked to be struggling towards the end of the second quarter at Joey’s kicked away to a 12-point lead at the main break. A six goal to two quarter has the home team in a strong position against the Tigers.
GFL: Colac a massive 66 points up against St Albans at half time. The star of the day has been Jake McGuane who has six goals to his name already.
GFL: Bell Park is easily in control against Geelong West-St Peters. Jaxon Cooke has four goals while Tim Sheringham is looking good ahead of the interleague break.
GFL: North Shore has been absolutely blown away by Leopold in a dominant second quarter. A big 10 goal to zero quarter has set up what looks to be a percentage boosting victory. The Seagulls only managed to get it inside 50m three times that quarter.
GDFL: Thomson again finishes the quarter well to take a six-point lead into half time. The Huhn brother kicked the final two against their former club to rub salt into the wound. Both teams taking the game on but lacking the finishing class.
GDFL: Inverleigh takes a six-point lead into the main break in another game of momentum swings. The Hawks kicked away but West rallied to get back into the game.
GDFL: Bannockburn is well in control against Belmont Lions. The Lions lacking the confidence to take the game on at the moment. Tommy Grant has five goals.
GDFL: North Geelong has kicked right away to lead by 31 points against Werribee at half time. Centrals put up a fight early, but it seems the Magpies are in control now.
QUARTER TIME SNAPSHOTS
INJURY: Hearing word of a serious knee injury to Drysdale’s Cameron Clayton in the first quarter of the reserves clash against Ammos. Massive blow. Injured his knee in a defensive contest. Big blow for the Hawks with Clayton one of their best so far this season. Ammos have started the day well with reserves and colts victories.
BFL: Fiery start to the Battle of The Bridge. More freekicks handed out in the first quarter than in most matches. Grubbers lead by four points. Ocean Grove’s reserves recorded a 26-point win to claim the minor battle of the bridge. A great crowd there at the game.
BFL: Ammos lead by two goals against Drysdale. Tom Balding goaled after the siren in a very defensive game. The Hawks made a late change for the match with Brent Taylor out and Steve Brown in for the Hawks. Brown has made an early impact as one of Drysdale’s best. Baden Dodd seeing plenty of it for Ammos.
BFL: A 27-point lead by Queenscliff at the first break against Portarlington. Great start by the Coutas.
GFL: North Shore has been very competitive despite the 30-point quarter time margin. Seagulls have been made to pay for poor discipline. Three goals coming from 50m penalties.
GFL: Two players on senior debut for Lara. Aaron Markham and Matthew Mathieson. Mathieson is the son of club games record holder, Paul. Lara finds itself 10 goals down at quarter time to a rampaging St Mary’s.
GFL: Newtown & Chilwell holding a narrow margin against powerhouse South Barwon. Crucial game for the Swans who have lost their last three games.
GFL: Bell Park has gone out to a 21-point lead at quarter time. The Roosters have struggled to get the ball forward. Kelvin Bourke and David Peel playing well.
GFL: A scrappy game sees Grovedale holding St Joseph’s at bay by two goals at the first break. Lachlan Howe has been impressive and Tiger Jordan Eskine has been busy up forward.
GDFL: Winless Corio Devils started on top, but the Thomson pegged the margin back with two late goals. It’s been entertaining so far.
GDFL: Good start by Bannockburn has given the Tigers a really handy 17-point lead at quarter time against Belmont. Both sides 1-3 after four rounds.
GDFL: The last four goals of the quarter has handed Inverleigh a two-point lead against Geelong West. It’s been a fast paced match, but the Cheetahs need to stem the Hawks’s goal run.
GDFL: Great start from Winchelsea has it only 14 points behind Bell Post Hill at quarter time. The Panthers got control of the match late in the quarter.
REMEMBER: Check back across the afternoon to keep on top of everything that’s happening, from score updates, to news snippets, to the coaches’ comments first just minutes after the final siren sounds.
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GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE
GWSP v BELL PARK
HALF TIME: GWSP 2.2 (14) Bell Park 9.12 (66)
FULL TIME: GWSP 5.8 (38) Bell Park 18.22 (130)
Preview: GEELONG West-St Peter’s has been hurt by injury ahead of its most important clash of the season. The Roosters will be without Tim Brown, Matt Davis and Jordan Cargill as they press for a top-five berth. To add to West’s pain, Bell Park will welcome back co-coach Tim Sheringham, ball winner Mitch Cuthill and key tall Ben Johnson. After successive defeats, the Dragons must win to avoid slipping into dangerous territory. If West claims victory, it will move two games clear of Bell Park on the ladder. On the flip side, the Dragons can close to within one win of the top five. All is on the line.
LARA v ST MARY’S
HALF TIME: St Mary’s 12.12 (84) Lara 5.2 (32)
FULL TIME: St Mary’s 20.17 (137) Lara 14.5 (89)
Preview: LARA will unveil two debutants in today’s clash against St Mary’s. The Cats have selected first gamers Aaron Markham and Matthew Mathieson after successive strong performances. Lara has been forced to make changes to the side that defeated Bell Park last round, with winger Josh Huxtable (hamstring) and forwards Matt Taylor (hamstring) and Liam Phillips (flu) withdrawing from the side. “If we get a full side like we did against Colac, Bell Park and North Shore we can be competitive,” Cats coach Matt Kershaw said. If we have a few injuries we’ll be tested.”
LEOPOLD v NORTH SHORE
HALF TIME: Leopold 17.13 (115) North Shore 3.8 (26)
FULL TIME: Leopold 31.19 (205) North Shore 5.9 (39)
Preview: STAR midfielder Jai Thompson will return for Leopold’s clash against North Shore. Thompson missed last week’s match against St Joseph’s with tonsillitis but will bolster the Lions’ side that is nearing full strength. Leopold coach Steve Clark expects Sam Hughes (hip soreness) and Brandon Howarth to return next week. Clark admitted his side had been disappointing in recent weeks. “The Newtown game was one out of the box for us — we didn’t fire a shot,” Clark said. “Last week we went in a little light on and we missed a couple of crucial goals and that cost us. We’re looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.”
SOUTH BARWON v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL
HALF TIME: South Barwon 4.6 (30) N & C 4.3 (27)
FULL TIME: South Barwon 12.9 (81) N & C 7.10 (52)
Preview: IF Bell Park’s season is at the crossroads, then another proud club is surely staring down the barrel of the unimaginable. South Barwon finds itself in unfamiliar territory at 1-3 and ninth on the ladder. To make matters worse, the Swans face a Newtown & Chilwell outfit that is stinging from its only defeat to Grovedale last week. The Eagles haven’t beaten South Barwon since Round 8, 2005 but the reigning premiers are ripe for the picking. The Swans haven’t lost four in a row since rounds 10, 11, 12, (bye Round 13) and 14 in 1997 when they went down to Bell Park, St Mary’s, Grovedale and Leopold.
ST JOSEPH’s v GROVEDALE
HALF TIME: St Joseph’s 8.3 (51) Grovedale 6.3 (39)
FULL TIME: St Joseph’s 18.10 (118) Grovedale 12.6 (78)
Preview: THEIR morale was sky-high after a nine-goal win against Leopold. But St Joseph’s confidence levels have only been boosted ahead of their crunch clash against Grovedale. “With Geelong and Collingwood having the bye, we’ve got our VFL-listed players back, so our side is very strong,” Joeys coach Heath Jamieson revealed. “It gives us a real boost. It’s not so much the side we’ve been playing, it’s the work we’ve done. We go in full of confidence on our home deck.” Cats VFL stars Daniel Gibbs and Tom Atkins and Magpies Lachlan Howe and Ben Moloney return for Joeys.
COLAC v ST ALBANS
HALF TIME: Colac 18.4 (112) St Albans 6.4 (40)
FULL TIME: Colac 26.12 (168) St Albans 13.6 (84)
Preview:
BELLARINE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DRYSDALE v GEELONG AMATEUR
HALF TIME: Drysdale 2.4 (16) Ammos 6.6 (42)
FULL TIME: Drysdale 10.6 (66) Ammos 11.13 (79)
Preview: The grand finals of 2009 and 2010 still loom in the minds of most local football supporters when this match-up appears on the fixture. The Hawks’ true test is today, and they will be primed for the challenge. Anglesea exposed some flaws in the Ammos’ game last weekend — however minor — and Drysdale will be looking to pounce with an upset.
NEWCOMB v MODEWARRE
HALF TIME: Newcomb 0.1 (1) Modewarre 13.8 (86)
FULL TIME: Newcomb 0.2 (2) Modewarre 35.16 (226)
Preview: Despite having a sizeable injury list, the Warriors still have the ability to surprise, but it’s a question of which version of the team turns up — have they managed to put behind them the consecutive 100+ point losses of Rounds 2 and 3? Probably, and today should give them confidence.
BARWON HEADS v OCEAN GROVE
HALF TIME: Barwon Heads 7.6 (48) Ocean Grove 3.7 (25)
FULL TIME: Barwon Heads 17.15 (117) Ocean Grove 10.15 (75)
Preview: A fortnight ago, this weekend’s upcoming ‘Battle of the Bridge’ was heavily weighted in Ocean Grove’s favour. Fast forward two weeks and it’s basically even money — Peter O’Connor’s men are buoyed by their big scalp in defeating three-time reigning premiers Queenscliff, while Shane Jack’s side is yet to be beaten all season. Expect fireworks.
PORTARLINGTON v QUEENSCLIFF
HALF TIME: Portarlington 3.4 (22) Queenscliff 13.6 (84)
FULL TIME: Portarlington 10.14 (74) Queenscliff 21.11 (137)
Preview: Portarlington should have every intention of replicating last week’s feat against a Queenscliff side that could be jaded by its upset loss to Barwon Heads. Just as it seemed that a weight had been lifted off the Coutas’ shoulders after its breakthrough win over Anglesea in Round 4, the pressure is heaped back on as Queenscliff lingers at 1-4.
TORQUAY v ANGLESEA
HALF TIME: Torquay 6.8 (44) Anglesea 4.6 (30)
FULL TIME: Torquay 14.15 (99) Anglesea 11.7 (73)
Previews: Anglesea has been gallant in its last two matches against two tough sides, but honourable losses can only get you so far and the ‘Seas will be identifying today’s game as a great chance for a win against an old foe. But Torquay at home have always proved hard to beat and holds a slight ascendancy over its nearby rivals.
GEELONG & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
WERRIBEE CENTRALS v NORTH GEELONG
HALF TIME: Centrals 3.2 (20) North Geelong 8.3 (51)
FULL TIME: Centrals 6.8 (44) North Geelong 15.14 (104)
Preview: A defining test for the Centrals. North Geelong has shown the hunger is still there, with four convincing wins to start the season. While Werribee has had some huge wins this season they still desire a top three scalp — something that has escaped them for much of the past 18 months.
INVERLEIGH v GEELONG WEST
HALF TIME: Inverleigh 9.3 (57) West 8.3 (51)
FULL TIME: Inverleigh 21.17 (143) West 12.7 (79)
Preview: Mark McDowell couldn’t be happier with his side’s start to the season. The Hawks are flying having won their past three matches and pushed Bell Post Hill in the opening round. They host Geelong West, who will be eager to bounce back from an insipid performance last weekend, which saw them lose by 99 points registering just 1.4 for the day.
BELL POST HILL v WINCHELSEA
HALF TIME: BPH 7.8 (50) Winchelsea 4.2 (26)
FULL TIME: BPH 16.19 (115) Winchelsea 7.7 (49)
Preview: In one of the matches of the round, the undefeated Panthers host Winchelsea. The Blues delivered a brilliant come from behind victory against Werribee last week while Bell Post Hill inflicted a monstrous defeat upon the Cheetahs. Winchelsea will relish an opportunity against one of the league’s best as they look to remain in the top five.
EAST GEELONG v ANAKIE
HALF TIME: East Geelong 11.8 (74) Anakie 4.1 (25)
FULL TIME: East Geelong 22.15 (147) Anakie 11.6 (72)
Preview: The Eagles found some form last week with a big victory, albeit against the bottom placed Devils. They take on a confident Anakie side this week fresh off their first win of the season. The Roos’ ball movement was top class against Belmont and they will need to bring that standard again to Richmond Crescent.
CORIO v THOMSON
HALF TIME: Corio 6.5 (41) Thomson 7.5 (47)
FULL TIME: Corio 15.12 (102) Thomson 13.8 (86)
Preview: Barry O’Toole and Stuart Jones have both had tough initiations to the senior job of their respective clubs, with just the one win between them while also suffering hefty losses last week. This weekend bodes as a huge opportunity for one to register a much needed victory and inject some confidence into their group.
BELMONT LIONS v BANNOCKBURN
HALF TIME: Belmont 3.5 (23) Bannockburn 8.13 (61)
FULL TIME: Belmont 7.17 (59) Bannockburn 14.26 (110)
Preview: Both clubs sit 1-3 after four rounds, having only beaten the two bottom teams between them. The Lions couldn’t make up for their poor early conversion last week against the Roos while Bannockburn was defeated by North Geelong. Both clubs will be searching for their second win and to build some momentum.
