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INVERLEIGH inflicted a shock loss upon reigning premier North Geelong in a result that has opened up the Geelong and District Football League premiership race.
The Hawks were ferocious around the contest in the wet conditions, running out 31-point victors, snapping a 12-match winning streak for the Magpies at Keith Barclay Oval.
Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell felt the hard-fought win was a “game changer” for the club’s 2014 campaign and lauded his young side’s superb four quarter performance led by a relentless tackling display.
“It was a crucial win. They should get a lot of confidence from that,” McDowell said.
“It’s a game changer.”
“They adapted to the wet weather-type football really quickly, they knew it was going to be a grind.”
“I think in the end we just outworked them, we tackled harder, (and we) harassed more. That was our plan — to outwork them and out-tackle them.
“That’s the first time their concentration hasn’t been broken throughout the game (this year).”
The Hawks now draw level with North Geelong with a 7-2 record and have their sights firmly set on finals action.
And although they face some of the league’s toughest opponents in Werribee, Bell Post Hill and East Geelong over the next month, McDowell was adamant his side is full of confidence and fearing no one.
“I’d be pretty confident that we’re going to play finals,” he said.
“Coming into it, it was a daunting task (but) I could just see it in them that they were really looking forward to it, they weren’t scared of it.
“If we want to be charging in for a crack at a double chance, it’s (next week) a must-win for us, so that’s what’s on the line.”
Blake Hutchinson and Dean Muir were outstanding in the clinches along with ruckman James Huybens who dominated as well as kicking the sealer in the final quarter. Dalton Grundell was also crucial in attack.
Inverleigh set the tone early in the match with its immense tackling pressure and attack on the ball and it paid dividends as it skipped away to a 17-point quarter-time lead.
Dalton Grundell led the way, with three first-quarter goals. Grundell’s fourth major extended the margin to 23 points in trying conditions.
North Geelong worked its way back into the contest, owning the latter stages of the half but could not convert on the scoreboard, ending the term with four behinds. However, a 13-point half-time margin had the home side within striking distance.
The Hawks lifted another gear in the third term, kicking 4.1 to 1.2 to set up what would prove to be an insurmountable five-goal lead.
Once again North Geelong peppered the goals and dominated general play but could not reap the full rewards.
Four Magpie behinds began the final quarter, before the Hawks streamed down the wing with a succession of long kicks to find ruckman James Huybens in space.
Huybens marked the Garrard kick inside 50 and strolled into the open goal to seal a huge win.
