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LEOPOLD and South Barwon had to settle for the GFL’s first stalemate of the season when the final siren sounded on Saturday.
But for the Lions, the 12.9 (81)-apiece result felt more like a loss.
The host led by three goals at the first and second change before the Swans chipped back the margin in the second half.
Leopold lost Jason Tom with concussion early in the third, joining fellow Lions on the pine with general soreness.
South Barwon hit the front late in the fourth term but Leopold saved some face, levelling scores with a goal.
Lions coach Steve Clark said the Swans remained the benchmark of the competition.
“They’re still a giant,” he said.
“Our forwards were able to create and open up some space at the start.
“It’s an even competition and we think that we can only get better in the second half of the season.
“We look forward to having more stability and not having to make three to four changes a week.”
Meanwhile, St Albans and Lara managed a more clear-cut result, with the Supersaints dominating 23.17 (155) to 9.7 (61).
Cats coach Matthew Kershaw was scathing in his side’s assessment.
“We were just out of the game completely,” he said.
“We were outmatched from the start and outpaced.
“I will refuse to make excuses for the age and experience of the players we have selected.
“I think that if you have 22 players who want to play footy, at any level, they should at least give in an effort. Our players didn’t do that today.
“There was no workrate and no effort.”
Grovedale was another big winner, toppling Bell Park 21.10 (136) to 9.15 (69).
Others to get the points were Newtown & Chilwell, St Joseph’s, St Albans and St Mary’s.
IN BFL action, Queenscliff got its season back on track with a convincing 27-point victory over Torquay.
The reigning premier booted seven goals to the Tigers’ none in the opening term to set up the 13.8 (86) to 7.17 (59) win.
It was Queenscliff’s third triumph of the season and a handy momentum builder heading into the bye.
Coach Tom Limb said football was finally doing the talking.
“Everyone else can start to doubt or make their own opinions outside the footy club, but we know where we stand and we’ll just keep moving forward,” he said.
“We’ve got confidence within ourselves.
“We wanted a good scalp and we got that.”
Torquay coach Craig McCaughan said he felt some deja vu.
“Last year there was a couple of games that were very similar that we let slip because of the accuracy,” he said.
“They weren’t hard shots today. Our skill errors let us down all across the ground, not just in front of goal (but) down back as well.”
Meanwhile, Barwon Heads held off Modewarre in a five-point thriller. Drysdale, Geelong Amateur and Ocean Grove were more comfortable victors.
REPORT — Drysdale’s Josh Inglis was reported for striking. He has until midday on Sunday to decide whether to accept a one-match set penalty or challenge the report at the tribunal.
ACROSS in the GDFL, season surprise packet Inverleigh notched its fifth win to hold third position on the ladder.
The Hawks led Anakie by a point at quarter time before trailing by a straight kick at the main break.
But the slightly inaccurate Inverleigh returned fire in the second half to win 17.18 (120) to 15.11 (101).
East Geelong did it easier against Winchelsea, dashing to a 60-point victory.
The Eagles slotted nine goals to the Blues’ one in the first term before the host chipped back the margin to four goals in the second.
But the damage had been done and East Geelong accelerated again to the 21.13 (139) to 12.7 (79) result.
“I reckon (the first quarter) was probably the best quarter the club’s played for at least three years,” coach Ricky O’Toole said.
“Everything clicked.
“The early wins are so important because I believe our best footy will be in the back end of the season.”
Winchelsea coach David Mensch said East Geelong had won the mental battle before stepping on the field.
“Sometimes you just have to go out with a straight bat and do the basics right and we just didn’t do that,” Mensch said.
“Since my time here, we’ve never beaten East, North Geelong or Bell Post Hill. I just think it’s mental.”
“The boys can play, there’s no doubt about that, but we just don’t seem to play four quarters.”
Other GDFL winners were Werribee Centrals, North Geelong, Geelong West and Bell Post Hill.
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FINAL SIREN
GFL WINNERS — Grovedale, Newtown & Chilwell, St Joseph’s, St Albans, St Mary’s. Leopold and South Barwon drew.
BFL WINNERS — Drysdale, Geelong Amateur, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff.
GDFL WINNERS — Inverleigh, East Geelong, Werribee Centrals, North Geelong, Geelong West, Bell Post Hill.
FOURTH QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GDFL — East Geelong has galloped away with the win over Winchelsea. The Eagles midfield was superb, while Hayden Graham and Lachie Szponar hit the scoreboard.
DRAW — Leopold and South Barwon have played a draw, 12.9 (81) apiece.
BFL — Barwon Heads has slammed on five goals but Modewarre is hot on its tail, trailing by five points.
GDFL — East Geelong’s Joel Tipping helps the margin out to 47 points against Winchelsea.
BFL — Queenscliff’s season could be back on track after a crucial 27-point win against the wasteful Torquay.
BFL — Torquay has kicked more behinds than goals in each quarter. Poor kicking.
GFL — South Barwon has hit the front, slotting three goals to Leopold’s one this term. Margin six points with 27 minutes gone.
GDFL — Werribee Centrals has put the foot down in the final term, nailing 11 goals to Thomson’s three behinds. Margin out to 133 points.
GDFL — Inverleigh should hold on against Anakie, up by 20 goals after 13 minutes.
BFL — Torquay has lost its momentum, looking too indecisive. Queenscliff lead by 28 after 20 minutes.
BFL — Drysdale has shaken off Anglesea, after three points separated the pair at half time. The Hawks now lead by seven goals. Roos coach Lucas Murphy this week said he wanted to stamp out second-half fade-outs.
BFL — Barwon Heads has regained the lead from Modewarre, up by three points after 12 minutes.
GFL — Leopold is holding on against a South Barwon resurgence. Both have managed a goal this term.
GFL — Geelong West-St Peter’s has come from nowhere, booting three unanswered goals in the fourth term to be within four straight kicks at the 20-minute mark.
THIRD QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GFL — Colac has staged an almighty comeback against Newtown & Chilwell. The Tigers only managed a goal before half time but have slammed on five to the Eagles’ zip in the third. Margin nine points.
GFL — South Barwon is closing the gap on Leopold, with just nine point in it at the 30-minute mark.
GFL — Lara’s Layton Kelly is sledging overtime against St Albans.
GDFL — East Geelong has put the breaks on a Winchelsea comeback, driving home a string of goals to lead the hard-running Blues by 45 points.
BFL — Couta Brock Thompson’s goal was countered by a James Darke snap just before the siren. The kick was met with comments from the crowd, wondering if that goal would be taken off him like Bennett’s was a few minutes earlier.
BFL — Tiger Pierson Bennett’s goal deep in the third quarter was controversially ruled a behind despite the ball being brought back to the centre for a goal. It would have reduced the margin to 17 points against Queenscliff.
BFL — Isaac Baker is Torquay’s only multiple goal scorer with two against Queenscliff.
BFL — Torquay is pegging back Queenscliff despite ferocious tackling pressure from the Coutas.
GDFL — Winchelsea is up and running against East Geelong. Both have two goals early in the third.
BFL — Torquay looks more eager than Queenscliff early in the third term, according to Matt Gibbs.
SECOND QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GFL — Lara teenager Nick Egan gives away 50m penalty against St Albans to the displeasure of both coaching panels.
BFL — Torquay controlled the last 15 minutes of the second half against Queenscliff but accuracy let it down. Having 7.2 on the scoreboard instead of the 2.7 reality would have created a much tighter contest.
BFL — Portarlington has scored its first goal of the match against the dominant Ocean Grove (11 goals)
BFL — Newcomb has managed five goals to date against league powerhouse Geelong Amateur, which has 22.
COMEBACK — GDFL writer Daniel Short thinks an unlikely Winchelsea comeback could be on the cards. He says East Geelong slowed to a stop late in the second term. Blues Trent McClure and David Mensch are in fine touch, supported by plenty of run from defence.
GDFL — Winchelsea slams five on the trot to work back into the game. Still trail East Geelong by 32 points late in second quarter.
GFL — Milestone man Clinton Proctor backed up St Albans’ teammate Jack Beardsell’s goal to gather his second major for the day against Lara.
GFL — An economic Grovedale 11.5 (71) leads Bell Park 5.10 (40) late in the second term.
GFL — A clever snap by Supersaint Jack Beardsell has St Albans leading Lara by 55 points.
GDFL — Winchelsea booted three of the first five goals against fast-starting East Geelong. But still plenty of work to do.
GFL — Lara’s Aaron Markham rewarded free kick against St Albans for brave tackle in his second game.
GFL — St Albans’ Sheldon Nelly has booted a goal in his first match since breaking his tibia and fibula in Round 11, 2012.
GFL — Supersaint Clinton Proctor has celebrated his 50th league match with a goal.
BFL — Bellarine footy writer Matt Gibbs has praised Queenscliff’s opening term, booting seven goals to Torquay’s two points. “Queenscliff has been kicking to space, leaving its forward-50 open for players to run onto the ball,” he said. “They’re playing on regularly, taking risks and looking like a premiership team.” Meanwhile Torquay has barely taken a mark inside 50.
FIRST QUARTER SNAPSHOTS
GDFL — Geelong West has blown some chances but still lead Corio by nine points deep into the first quarter.
INJURY — Geelong West’s Adam Leamer has hobbled from field with a right ankle injury.
GDFL — Addy footy writer Daniel Short was impressed with East Geelong’s “dominant” first term. The Eagles lead 9.3 (57) to Winchelsea’s 1.2 (8) at quarter time. Short says the Blues need an immediate response after being torn up early.
GDFL — Key East Geelong forward Hayden Graham boots his third in the opening quarter to make the margin 37 points against Winchelsea.
GFL — Bell Park needs to tighten against Grovedale, already clocking up the behinds tally with 3.7 (25) to three straight 27 minutes in.
GFL — Supersaint Damien Carmody chimed in for a goal, before Lara’s Matthew Wilkinson bumped Casey Bourke off play.
GFL — St Albans’ Heath Robbins, playing Lara, has kicked his first goal of the season.
GFL — Ben Hughes kicked St Albans’ first major before Lara’s Shaydon Bloomfield responded on the run. One goal apiece early.
GFL — St Mary’s has slammed on four straight to GSWP’s one behind within the first 10 minutes.
GFL — Leopold has got the jump on South Barwon, bolting to 3.2 (20) to a single behind at the 13-minute mark.
WEATHER — BFL writer Matt Gibbs is at Torquay’s Spring Creek Reserve and says the weather is a “perfect” 25 degrees and sunny.
BFL — Scores are tied 2.1 (13) apiece between Barwon Heads and Modewarre at the 11-minute mark.
BFL — It’s all been one-way traffic at Ocean Grove, with the host 2.3 (15) up on the scoreless Portarlington, 10 minutes in.
BFL — Queenscliff has started well with four goals to Torquay’s nil. Two have come from centre half forward Daniel DeGois. Teenager Zac Henderson has been instrumental in his new midfield role.
GDFL — East Geelong has slotted the first five goals of the game to Winchelsea’s one behind after 13 minutes of play.
GDFL — Bannockburn will need to get its skates on, as Bell Post Hill has booted four goals to the host’s nothing after 21 minutes.
GFL
GROVEDALE v BELL PARK
FULL TIME: Grovedale 21.10 (136) Bell Park 9.15 (69)
HALF TIME: Grovedale 12.5 Bell Park 5.10
Preview: GROVEDALE will be missing a star player for Saturday’s crunch clash against Bell Park. But the identity of the player remains a mystery. “We’ll have one key player out that will be a shock to everyone,” Tigers coach Grant Tanner said. “There’ll be a couple of outs but we’ll keep our cards close to our chest.” Tanner was reluctant to reveal his team’s omissions, given Bell Park named star pair Mitch Cuthill and Zane Vail, despite both players being on holidays. Irrespective of the mind games, Tanner acknowledged the contest was huge in the context of the season. “They’ve got their old brigade back and it’s an eight-point game, really,” Tanner said.
LEOPOLD v SOUTH BARWON
FULL TIME: Leopold 12.9 (81) South Barwon 12.9 (81)
HALF TIME: Leopold 7.7 South Barwon 4.3
Preview: LEOPOLD coach Steve Clark believes his team has every chance of slaying giants South Barwon. “Definitely,” Clark said of the Lions’ chances. “We played some pretty good footy early in the season and we 100 per cent understand what went wrong against Newtown and that flowed into the Joeys game. “But we had some good players out and some guys who were underdone. Guy O’Keefe and Matt Miller have both got three games under their belt now and they’re starting to hit form.” Sam Hughes (hip flexor) and Brandon Howarth (thigh) return for the Lions. Hughes hasn’t played since Round 1, while Howarth last played against Newtown.
ST ALBANS v LARA
FULL TIME: St Albans 23.17.155 Lara 9.7 (61)
HALF TIME: St Albans 12.9 (81) Lara 2.1 (13)
Preview: ST ALBANS has received a boost ahead of Saturday’s must-win clash against Lara, with indigenous star Sheldon Nelly returning from Western Australia. “He’s played the last three or four weeks in Geraldton, and you wouldn’t believe it, but in his last game against Lara at St Albans he broke his leg,” Supersaints coach Clinton Proctor said. “So he’s got some unfinished business. He’s a really exciting factor for us. He’s very good in the air and has the nous to kick a goal.” Cats Liam Phillips (flu) and Luke Wilson (ankle) faced fitness tests at training on Thursday night but are likely to play against St Albans, while Josh Huxtable and Matt Taylor (both hamstrings) will return after the bye.
NORTH SHORE v ST JOSEPH’S
FULL TIME: North Shore 3.5 (23) St Josephs 26.17 (173)
HALF TIME: North Shore 0.2 St Joseph’s 14.8
Preview: ST JOSEPH’S will regain former AFL star Ashley Hansen for Saturday’s clash with North Shore. Hansen, who has played only one match this season, in Round 4, is one of six possible inclusions for the 2nd versus 12th clash. James Allen, Tim Arnel and Sam Dennis are in line for selection after being dropped to the reserves last week, while Rory Nolan will play his first senior game and Reid Adams returns from Williamstown’s development team. The Joeys will be without Ben Moloney and Lachlan Howe, who return to Collingwood’s VFL team, and Daniel Gibbs, Tom Atkins and Daniel Measures, who have been chosen in Geelong’s VFL squad.
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL v COLAC
FULL TIME: Newtown & Chilwell 12.16 (88) v Colac 9.12 (66)
HALF TIME: Newtown & Chilwell 7.11 Colac 1.3
Preview: COLAC is planning for Newtown & Chilwell ball magnet Daniel Feery to play in Saturday’s blockbuster, despite him not being named in the selected side. Feery has been identified by Tigers coach Paul Lynch as a player capable of taking the match away from Colac.
“Feery’s a very big loss,” Lynch said. “My mail is he’s one of the best players in the comp and he wasn’t named. “We’re planning for him to be there. I’ve had people watch Newtown twice this year and they say he was best on in both games.” Lynch remained tight-lipped about Colac’s inclusions, however James Linton and Kane Leersen are likely to play VFL. “Our first half last week was as good as I’ve seen in my tenure at Colac and if we turn up and play like that we’ll be hard to beat,” Lynch said.
ST MARY’S v GEELONG WEST-ST PETER’S
FULL TIME: St Mary’s 14.15 (99) GWSP 8.14 (62)
HALF TIME: St Mary’s 8.6 GWSP 2.7
Preview: ST MARY’S coach Bryce Vincent believes the club has overcome a bout of gastro that plagued his players for the best part of a fortnight. The Saints will regain James Marks, Jarrad Bath and Alex Hamilton from the side that downed Lara last week. Bath and Hamilton had gastro last week but have returned to full fitness. “He’s been really impressive for us and we missed him last week,” Vincent said of Bath. “We’ve had a bit of gastro go through the club. The last two weeks we’ve had four or five blokes pull out the night before the game.” St Mary’s will be without Kane Tenace, who will miss up to a month with a torn hamstring, while Flinn Chisholm (uni commitments) and Luke Bath (VFL) are also out.
BFL
ANGLESEA v DRYSDALE
FULL TIME: Anglesea 8.10 (58) Drysdale 15.13 (103)
HALF TIME: Anglesea 5.4 Drysdale 5.7
Preview: Drysdale proves a huge task for the young Roos, but testing themselves against the big sides is what Anglesea needs to further its development. One must favour Drysdale due to its great start to the year, but the ‘Seas will put up a challenge, given their solid showings against quality sides in recent weeks.
NEWCOMB v GEELONG AMATEUR
FULL TIME: Newcomb 5.2 (32) Geelong Amateur 40.21 (261)
HALF TIME: Newcomb 5.0 Geelong Amateur 22.6
Preview: If Modda can restrict the Power to no goals, imagine what the Ammos might be able to do. Leading into the bye, we may see a few players rested to get a crucial two-week break. Barring a catastrophe, Amateur will enter the break with an unbeaten 7-0 record and likely premiership favouritism.
BARWON HEADS v MODEWARRE
FULL TIME: Barwon Heads 16.12 (108) Modewarre 14.19 (103)
HALF TIME: Barwon Heads 9.6 Modewarre 7.4
Preview: We are finally starting to see Barwon Heads at its best, the quality that was promised at times throughout last season when it seemed the Seagulls had a long-awaited finals berth wrapped up. They must play the game on their own terms like they did last week, with a physical style of football that shares the goal kicking around.
OCEAN GROVE v PORTARLINGTON
FULL TIME: Ocean Grove 15.17.107 Portarlington 5.11.41
HALF TIME: Ocean Grove 11.13 Portarlington 1.6
Preview: If someone had told the hierarchy at Port last season that they would have 24 scoring shots, 10 goals and hold themselves accountable against Queenscliff at home, they’d probably be scoffed at. The Demons will have their work cut out for them against Ocean Grove, who they have traditionally struggled against, but they are starting to gain a lot of respect from around the league.
TORQUAY v QUEENSCLIFF
FULL TIME: Torquay 7.17 (59) Queenscliff 13.8 (86)
HALF TIME: Torquay 2.9 Queenscliff 8.4
Preview: A couple of day games at home in a row for Torquay, which is a different sight for the Tigers who have been used to playing under lights this season. Queenscliff ‘need’ this win more than Torquay do — but don’t go telling the Tigers that. The yellow and black aren’t at full strength but should be favoured at home Saturday.
GDFL
ANAKIE v INVERLEIGH
FULL TIME: Anakie 15.11 (101) Inverleigh 17.18 (120)
HALF TIME: Anakie 8.6 Inverleigh 6.12
Preview: Inverleigh continued their sensational run of form with a comprehensive victory over Geelong West; they have now won four in a row, sitting third on the ladder. While the Roos were soundly beaten by East Geelong last weekend it will be looking to hit back to form at home this week as they take on an inform Hawks outfit.
WINCHELSEA v EAST GEELONG
FULL TIME: Winchelsea 12.7 (79) East Geelong 20.19 (139)
HALF TIME: Winchelsea 7.4 East Geelong 11.6
Preview: Both clubs currently occupy a spot in the top five, making this match-up an enthralling contest. The two sides last met in last year’s semi-final where the Eagles halted Winchelsea’s fairytale run. East look to have found form after a slow start to the year, this will be another early challenge as it travels out to Eastern Reserve.
NORTH GEELONG v BELMONT LIONS
FULL TIME: North Geelong 23.12 (150) Belmont Lions 3.9 (27)
HALF TIME: North Geelong 10.7 Belmont Lions 1.5
Preview: North Geelong has had an outstanding start to the season once again, despite this match being just their second home game for the season. Whereas the Belmont Lions have registered just the one win thus far and it doesn’t get any easier as it prepares for arguably the toughest challenge in the GDFL.
THOMSON v WERRIBEE CENTRALS
FULL TIME: Thomson 5.12 (42) Werribee Centrals 26.19 (175)
HALF TIME: Thomson 1.6 Werribee Centrals 9.12
Preview: Both sides enter this week off the back of disappointing round 5 results. Thomson was overrun by a hungry Devils side, a match the Tigers would’ve expected and needed to win. While the Centrals hosted North Geelong in another test against a top side and again they came up well short. Making this an important match for both clubs.
BANNOCKBURN v BELL POST HILL
FULL TIME: Bannockburn 10.4 (64) Bell Post Hill 21.21 (147)
HALF TIME: Bannockburn 4.1 Bell Post Hill 11.7
Preview: Bell Post Hill remain at the top of the ladder are an in fine form, while the Tigers sit 2-3 having beaten the sides below them on the ladder but are yet to trouble any of the top five. It will be looking to change that tomorrow afternoon when they host the Panthers in a true test of its development.
GEELONG WEST v CORIO
FULL TIME: Geelong West 11.11 (77) Corio 8.11 (59)
HALF TIME: Geelong West 5.6 Corio 5.7
Preview: Corio is fresh off its first win of the season and is eyeing a second victory in succession. They travel to take on the Cheetahs, who are yet to find consistent form having lost its past two matches. This match-up is one Geelong West can ill afford to lose if they are to contend for its pre-season aim of finals football; however they meet a confident Corio side.
