Geelong Advertiser |
NEWTOWN & Chilwell has held on against a fast-finishing St Joseph’s by four points to stay a game clear at the top of the GFL ladder.
Newtown was well in control at half-time, leading by 44 points, before Joeys mounted a spirited comeback in the second half.
They booted nine goals to two for the half, having kept Newtown goal-less in the third quarter, and got to within a kick of the lead before time ran out.
In the other battle between two top four teams, St Mary’s ran over the top of Colac to record a 12-point win.
The Saints did not even score in the first quarter, and still trailed by three goals at half-time but a 10-goal to five second half saw them charge past the Tigers.
The win sees St Mary’s move into second spot on the ladder, now a game clear of Colac and St Joseph’s, who both have significantly better percentage than the Saints.
South Barwon demolished Grovedale in the second half to run away with a 39-point win at McDonald Reserve.
Tigers coach Grant Tanner said he team just couldn’t stop the Swans once they got on a roll.
“In that third quarter they really got on top of us,” Tanner said.
“And from all stoppages pretty much all around the ground, and that really hurts you.
“We’ve spoken about it and know where the problem was, we just went away from our set up a little bit.”
South Barwon co-coach Warwick Knuckey was full of praise for his team, which has kept itself within arm’s reach of the top five.
“The early part of the year has put us in a situation where we have to win and by as much as we can,” Knuckey said.
“And I thought today we played really well, especially the last three quarters.
“It was a good feeling amongst the group, they were up and about and understand where the season’s at now.”
In other GFL results, Bell Park fought off a comeback from Geelong West-St Peter’s, which actually hit the front in the final term, before eventually going down by 10 points, while Lara did it comfortably against North Shore by 94 points, with Mitch Day booting 10 goals.
“It just came pretty easy for me today; I felt the boys fed me well,” Day said.
“I think it would have been nice to have kicked 14 and beat his (coach Matt Kershaw’s) club record,” he joked.
Kershaw laughed that he would have tried to save his record of 13 goals if Day got any closer.
“I would have brought him off in that scenario,” Kershaw laughed.
“Tim Ivermee and Ash Mclean both are OK defenders so it was impressive to see him kick 10 but what impressed me the most was that he recorded 11 bone-crunching tackles, his second efforts were fantastic.
“We’ve been trying to work him harder when he doesn’t have the ball and he’s mixing his football up now so I’ve got nothing but praise for him at the minute.”
One of those bone-crunching tackles was on Ash McLean, which drew the ire of North Shore players who saw a sling tackle.
“I think the boys flew the flag and showed that they weren’t going to put up with that,” North Shore coach Ged Brody said.
“But Lara outplayed us, they were consistent with their efforts and we picked and chose and it’s hurt us again.”
Jason Davenport was a standout on a tough day for North Shore.
“He kicked four or five today but it’s the work he does off the footy which doesn’t get recognised either,” Brody said.
“It’s pretty tough to play in a losing side every week but I think he’ll definitely be a (Mathieson Medal) contender.”
Leopold kept its buffer to the Swans in fifth spot with a 67-point win over St Albans.
FINAL SCORES
Bell Park 13.11 (89) def. GWSP 12.7 (79)
St Mary’s 13.7 (85) def. Colac 11.7 (73)
Lara 24.13 (157) def. North Shore 9.9 (63)
South Barwon 12.10 (82) def. Grovedale 6.7 (43)
Leopold 14.21 (105) def. St Albans 5.8 (38)
Newtown & Chilwell 10.9 (69) def. St Joseph’s 10.5 (65)
BFL
No thrillers in the BFL to speak of this week.
Ocean Grove coach Shane Jack was after redemption for a big loss to rivals Barwon Heads earlier in the season, and he got just that, but only in the end.
An eight-goal to one first quarter looked to have set up a good day for the Grubbers, but Barwon Heads booted seven goals to none in the second quarter to have the game right in the balance again.
But Jack’s men powered away in the second half, kicking 10 goals to four to run out 34-point winners.
Barwon Heads coach coach Peter O’Connor said the loss means his side must now produce the unthinkable and topple the undefeated Ammos to have a chance at a long-awaited finals berth.
“That’s what I said to the players after the game, if we want to make the finals we’ve got to win four out of four,” O’Connor said.
“Effectively we’re two games behind Drysdale, because we’re a game and 40 per cent (behind).
“If you just went on the games we should win and they should win, we’d probably come into the last game (against Drysdale in Round 18) having to win by 20 goals.”
In other games, second-placed Torquay did it comfortably against Anglesea all day.
The home side didn’t kick a goal in the first half as the Tigers recorded a 61-point win.
Top of the table Geelong Amateur dispensed of Drydale with relative ease, thanks to a powerful first quarter that gave it a five-goal buffer.
Queenscliff moved into the top five with a 56-point win over Portarlington, while Modewarre inflicted more pain on Newcomb, with a 41.20 (266) to 0.1 (1) win.
FINAL SCORES
Torquay 13.17 (95) def. Anglesea 5.4 (34)
Ocean Grove 18.12 (120) def. Barwon Heads 12.14 (86)
Geelong Amateur 15.5 (95) def. Drysdale 6.12 (48)
Queenscliff 17.18 (120) def. Portarlington 9.10 (64)
Modewarre 41.20 (266) def. Newcomb 0.1 (1)
GDFL
North Geelong went another step closer to stitching up a top-two finish with a seven-point win over Bannockburn.
Coach Darren Ryan said he was pleased with his team’s 11.18 (84) to 11.11 (77) win, which it won after trailing in a real arm wrestle.
“I was rapt, really proud of our 22 blokes,” Ryan said.
“I have full confidence with them, like I said it’s not just about talent, it’s about caring for each other.
“Our guys constantly work hard for each other.”
Ryan said his team was still not at its best, as it plays through a heavy running program in the lead-up to finals.
“I still think we’re three weeks away from our best footy,” he said.
Ryan expects injured goalkicking machine Paul Breguet to be back in a week or two.
Bannockburn coach Craig McGough was left to rue some missed opportunities.
“We’re doing a lot right and we’re developing and becoming a pretty well-rounded football side,” he said.
“But the difference between us and the top two sides (is) we just make critical errors at crucial stages.
“It is a tough run home but as a developing side that’s the run we really need to have.
“We don’t won’t to be gifted an opportunity to play finals because we’ve got an easy run in.”
Tom Mullane-Grant sat out the last quarter with a leg injury, but McGough said it was more as a precaution and expected his to only miss one week at worst.
FINAL SCORES
Belmont Lions 20.11 (131) def. Anakie 14.13 (97)
Winchelsea 15.7 (97) def. Werribee Centrals 10.15 (75)
North Geelong 11.18 (84) def. Bannockburn 11.11 (77)
Inverleigh 21.18 (144) def. Thomson 8.4 (52)
East Geelong 32.20 (212) def. Corio 3.5 (23)
Bell Post Hill 15.9 (99) def. Geelong West 8.8 (56)
How the day unfolded...
FOURTH QUARTER
GDFL — It’s all over. North Geelong 11.18 (84) has defeated Bannockburn 11.11 (77). Big win. Could be costly for the Tigers, they certainly had their chances. Magpies’ ability to rise late got them the points.
GDFL — It’s a two-point ball game, 77-75. Pitman converts to give North Geelong the lead.
BFL — No contests left in the BFL today. Torquay leading Anglesea by 55 points, Modewarre 235-1 up against Newcomb, Ocean Grove 120-86 in the Battle of the Bridge, Ammos 95-48 against Drysdale, Queenscliff 120-64 over Portarlington. All games at various stages during the final term.
GFL — Is St Mary’s running away with it at Colac now? Up by 16 points, 20 minutes gone. They’ve kicked 10 goals to four now since half time.
GFL — Joeys within four points now of Newtown. They’ve booted nine goals to two since the main break.
GFL — Contender for thriller of the day is out at Colac. St Mary’s has hit the front against the Tigers. They’ve kicked eight goals to four since half time, up by four points in the first 10 minutes of the last.
GFL — Bell Park now back in front. This one’s going down to the wire. Dragons by two points, 17 minutes gone.
GFL — GWSP has hit the front at Bell Park. It looks like that’s the close one of the day! 73-69 the Roosters’ way.
GFL — Newtown just nine points up against St Joseph’s, 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53) in the opening stages of the last term.
GDFL — Tom Mullan-Grant came off the ground and into the rooms towards the end of the third quarter. His day is done with a leg injury, possibly a quad. Big first goal goes to the visitors, 75-69 now.
GFL — The Roosters are still coming out at Hamlyn Park. Now within three points of the Dragons, 69-66.
THIRD QUARTER
GFL — Despite leading at quarter time and half time, Grovdale now looks down and out against South Barwon. The Swans blitzed Grovedale in the third term to steal the lead and extend it to the biggest lead of the day, 35 points. The Swans booted an impressive seven goals and kept Grovedale to just one point.
GDFL — A real arm wrestle. Bannockburn buckled first, going from a goal up to see the Magpies kick three unanswered goals. 10.13 (73) to 9.8 (62). Game on still but North certainly gained the adscency late.
GFL — Bell Park 10.8 (68) leads GWSP 8.5 (53) at three-quarter time.
GFL — North Shore 8.6 (54) trails at home to Lara 13.11 (89) at the last break.
BFL — Anglesea 3.4 (22) well behind Torquay 10.14 (74) at three-quarter time.
BFL — Geelong Amateur 12.5 (77) comfortably over Drysdale 3.10 (28).
BFL — Queenscliff 11.14 (80) leads Portarlington 9.5 (59).
GFL — Leopold doing it comfortably at St Albans, up 10.16 (76) to 4.6 (30) at three-quarter time.
GFL — Matt Taylor kicks his second for Lara before another one to Jason Davenport, who is dominating for North Shore. Then another goal to Lara and it is up 11.9 (75) to 8.6 (54).
GFL — South Barwon has stormed to the lead against Grovedale. The Swans were seven points down at half-time, but six goals to no score in the quarter sees them lead 11.5 (71) to 5.5 (35).
BFL — Portarlington has kicked five goals for the quarter against Queenscliff, which has kicked two itself. Game still in the balance heading towards the last with Queenscliff still up 67-58.
BFL — Ocean Grove kicking away in the third quarter. They’ve slammed on six goals for the term, lead 14.9 (93) to 9.11 (65) nearing the final change.
BFL — Celebrations for Newcomb, which is on the board at Modewarre. Score: 156-1.
GFL — Colac has kicked two goals to one in the first 10 minutes against St Mary’s, lead out to 27 points now.
GFL — Geelong West-St Peter’s is right in it out at Hamlyn Park, kicking the first two goals of the third term, still trailing Bell Park 9.7 (61) to 8.4 (52).
GFL — Mitch Day adds another for Lara, remember he kicked seven the last time these two sides met.
GFL — The opening 30 seconds of the third quarter sees both North Shore and Lara kick a goal.
HALF-TIME SCORES
GFL:
Bell Park 9.6 (60) leads GWSP 6.3 (39)
Colac 6.2 (38) leads St Mary’ 3.1 (19)
Lara 6.7 (43) leads North Shore 5.3 (33)
Lara will be happy to learn Nick Egan is back on his feet after a sickening midair collision. Lara has won both Q1 and Q2 for the first time this year.
Grovedale 5.5 (35) leads South Barwon 4.4 (28)
The second quarter belonged to South Barwon, which kicked 3.3 to 1.4. Grovedale’s only goal came from a soft and controversial 50m penalty.
South Barwon still trails by seven points but looks the better side and is expected to finish stronger.
Leopold 7.10 (52) leads St Albans 2.5 (17)
BFL:
Ocean Grove 8.7 (55) leads Barwon Heads 8.6 (54)
It all starts again now, couldn’t be better poised for a great second half at a point the difference. Like usual, the Ocean Grove ground turf has become chopped up which could impact skill levels in these final two quarters.
Queenscliff 7.8 (50) leads Portarlington 4.4 (28)
Torquay well in control in Anglesea, up 9.12 (66) to 0.1 (1)
Geelong Amateur 10.4 (64) leads Drysdale 2.5 (17)
GDFL:
A great quarter for Bannockburn, booting five goals to one and now leads 7.5 (47) to North Geelong 6.5 (41).
It’s a real contest at Keith Barclay Oval. Plenty on the line for both clubs. The Tiger midfield group really gaining control.
SECOND QUARTER
GFL — Tight tussle in Colac, with the Tigers still holding sway 5.2 (32) to 3.1 (19) 20 minutes gone.
GFL — Geelong West-St Peter’s is fighting back at Hamlyn Park, kicking five of the last eight goals to now be down by 15 points 20 kinutes into the term, 48-33.
BFL — Still no score for Newcomb, Modewarre now 17.4 (106).
BFL — You would think that the scoreline at Ocean Grove demonstrates a strong wind but it really has been a game of two quarters. Mentally the Seagulls have all the momentum this quarter and have restricted the inside 50s of Ocean Grove, even on this small ground. This is in stark contrast to the first quarter, where after an arm wrestle of about eight or nine minutes, the grubbers piled on eight goals to one
Ocean Grove up 8.7 (55) to 6.3 (39), 20 minutes gone.
BFL — Second-placed Torquay doing the business against Anglesea, with a commanding 64-1 lead midway through the term.
BFL — Geelong Amateur doing it comfortably against Drysdale, up by 50-11 early in the second quarter.
GDFL — Bannockburn coach reiterating the point at quarter time that it had its chances, saying the difference is decision making and execution so far. They responded, it’s all Tigers to start the second, with the first three goals and it’s all tied up.
FIRST QUARTER
GFL — Lara has won back to back opening quarters for the first time this season thanks to a three goal effort by Mitch Day. Jason Davenport kicked two for North Shore, one from 40 out on the run.
GFL — Quite an even quarter between South Barwon and Grovedale.
South had a few more chances but didn’t convert, or sometimes even score.
Grovedale finished strongly kicking the last three goals of the quarter to finish 19 points up.
Very muddy conditions, making it hard.
GFL — Colac making a statement early against St Mary’s, up 4.1 (25) to no score at quarter time.
GFL — Matty Scarlett warned not to write off his South Barwon team but they are up against early on at McDonalds Reserve, trailing Grovedale 4.2 (26) to 1.1 (7) at quarter time.
GFL — Leopold holding sway by 18 points at quarter time against St Albans — 4.4 (28) to 1.4 (10).
GFL — A goal-less first quarter for St Joseph’s against Newtown, down 0.2 (2) to 4.4 (28).
GDFL — Solid start from the North Geelong against Bannockburn, leading 5.2 (32) to 2.1 (13). The tall timber in Sam Clark and Jamie Pitman looking dangerous with three goals between them. Bannockburn not without its chances just less efficient than the polished North Geelong side.
GFL — Lots of inclusions and a big start for Bell Park against Geelong West-St Peter’s, leading 4.2 (26) to 0.0 (0) after 18 minutes.
BFL — Another tough day at the office coming for Newcomb, already down 10.3 (63) to no score after 23 minutes against Modewarre.
BFL — Ocean Grove has jumped out of the blocks against Barwon Heads, leading 7.4 (46) to 1.1 (7) nearing quarter time.
Before play started we reported the news:
GROVEDALE spearhead Jordan Erskine will play his last game for the season today, with season-ending surgery set to prematurely end his year.
It’s believed Erskine has a finger injury that requires surgery.
The forward was recently involved in a public war of words with Grant Tanner after the coach labelled him “‘not competitive at all” after a recent loss to Newtown & Chilwell.
‘It’s pretty disappointing having your senior coach out you in the papers. It’s not a good look for the footy club,” Erskine told the Geelong Advertiser last week.
“Maybe an explanation, not so much an apology, but an explanation as to why he singled me out. I wasn’t the only one on the field.”
GEELONG West-St Peter’s has been dealt a huge blow ahead of its clash against Bell Park today, with star Chris Moreland a late withdrawal.
Moreland has just made his debut on Fox8’s new reality TV series The Recruit, which will unearth a local footy player to make it onto an AFL list.
Joining Moreland as a late withdrawal today is Lucas Boyd. Coming in to take their place are Luke Moore and Dean Trembath.
