Geelong Advertiser |
TOMORROW’S Battle of the Bridge is all about redemption for Ocean Grove coach Shane Jack.
Starting the season 5-0, the Grubbers were dealt a football lesson by their old foe, thrashed by 42 points in Round 6.
“It wasn’t a good feeling,” Jack said of the loss.
“They put us to the sword and when they get a run on, Barwon Heads, they are pretty hard to stop.
“It would be good to get one over them. That’s the only game we were blown away and we weren’t 100 per cent, so I’ve questioned the boys this week and hopefully we respond.”
There are few bigger rivalries in the Bellarine Football League and the clash at Ocean Grove Memorial Reserve has extra significance for both sides.
“It’s built up over time and it’s a pretty important game,” Jack said. “We’re trying to cement a spot in the top three and they’re trying to cement a spot in the top five.
“Since I’ve been at Ocean Grove, it’s always been a close game no matter where we are on the table.
“Last year was pretty big — we had to win that to keep our run going towards the finals — and with only five games left in the season, it’s a big game.”
The Grubbers could make up to three changes to the team that downed Portarlington two weeks ago, with James McTaggart and Daniel Freeman back and Brayden Warren available for selection.
McTaggart and Freeman were rested against the Demons to overcome niggling injuries, while Warren’s Geelong Falcons have the bye.
Jack said the break had come at a good time for Ocean Grove, which is level on points with second-placed Torquay and holds a two-game buffer over fourth-placed Drysdale.
“We had a couple of niggles,” Jack said.
“We’re just setting ourselves, really.
“We had a game against Port before the bye and we got the result we wanted and now we’re setting ourselves on finishing top three and these next two or three games will be crucial.”
While top spot will be sewn up by Geelong Amateur, Jack highlighted the importance of securing a place in the top three.
“You probably have to get that double chance, really,” he said.
“It’s pretty hard work when you finish fifth and trying to win four finals in a row, so a double chance is pretty important and we’ll have to win a few games in a row to cem-ent that and it starts this weekend.”
