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A BRUISING round of local football will leave teams licking their wounds tonight.

It came after Swans tagger Adam Kurzman was helped off the ground in a behind-the-play incident during the second quarter.

Leopold ran out 26-point winners over Colac, but Dylan McCarthy came off with concussion during the third term.

It was the Lions’ first win at Central Reserve.

The game was delayed for three minutes late in the term while trainers helped McCarthy.

Colac’s day was made worse with the report of Jake O’Dwyer for engaging in rough conduct with Leopold star Sam Hughes during the third quarter.

In the BFL, Drysdale pair Paul Davis and Josh Rushton limped off with hamstring injuries in the Hawks’ seven-point win over Barwon Heads.

Ammos captain Marc O’Donohue also suffered an ankle injury in his team’s 27-point win over Ocean Grove.

But the victory could come at a cost with Kane Smith reported for a headhigh bump on Ocean Grove’s Kaiden Long.

Ammo’s Luke Souter was also sent off for striking Daniel Freeman in the third term, leaving the home side with just 17 mean on the field for most of the second half of the match.

In an earlier Colts game, a St Joseph’s 18-year-old was taken to hospital after convulsing following copping a bump against Newtown & Chilwell.

He was later released, but Joeys coach Nathan Harness said the incident occurred off the ball and behind play in the second quarter.

The incident left the injured player unconscious for more than half an hour.

“It was a result of a bump and we’ve put in for an investigation,” he said.

“The club is rapt he’s now OK and was released from hospital later that day with a massive headache,” he said.

IN GFL action the Lions were helped over the line with great performances by Tom Ruggles down back and Simon Close in the forward line.

North Shore put up a strong fight in its 48-point loss to St Mary’s. The Seagulls had the lead at quarter time, but ran out of legs in the second half.

Grovedale ran out comfortable 112-point winners over Lara.

The victory was set up with a brilliant 15-goal haul by star Tiger Jordan Erskine.

St Joseph’s withstood an early challenge from GWSP to have an easy 53-point win over the Roosters.

Newtown & Chilwell rocketed to a 73-point win over Bell Park.

South Barwon’s win comes at a handy time for the powerhouse, with the Swans missing a number of key players through injury.

Coach Matthew Scarlett said it was the most complete performance since Round 1.

“I was really happy that we played the full four quarters, it’s probably something we haven’t done since Round 1,” Scarlett said.

”We also started really well which we have been struggling to do.

“So we spoke about that during the week and how we could start better and we were able to do that.

“There were some really good signs for us today.

“Our young blokes really led from the front which is a great sign for the club.”

St Albans coach Clinton Proctor said he was disappointed with his team’s last quarter efforts.

“Disappointed in the lack of accountability and discipline,” Proctor said.

“There's enough belief in the group for us to win matches like this.

“But we just need to stay disciplined and stick to our roles.”

IN BFL, Modewarre finished all over the top of Queenscliff to record a 34-point win.

The Coutas led by just four points at the final break, but the Warriors had too much run in a cracking match.

Newcomb kicked a goal and a behind in the last quarter in its 273-point loss to Torquay.

Anglesea ran out 45-point winners over Portarlington.

Ammos coach Cory Bauer said the sendings off of two of his players might of actually helped his side.

“When we had the guys sent off, we started to play a better brand of footy. With our game style too, it’s a fairly tactical game style, we want to push guys up and behind the footy and work back. It demands a lot of the guys that we’ve got out there,” Bauer said.

“Ocean Grove, to their credit, put a lot of pressure on us early and we were able to withstand that. We got away to a bit of a handy lead but they fought back, and that’s what’s going to happen with quality opposition.

“The pleasing thing from our point of view is that we were able to combat that (momentum change). We could have easily dropped our heads with guys being sent off and being a man down for pretty much the bulk of the second half. But we were able to respond to that and stick to our game plan.”

Grubbers coach Shane Jack said playing Ammos was a good test for his team.

“It was probably good to see where we were at,” Jack said.

“I talked to the boys after a week off and I just wanted them to bring effort. I thought for three and a half quarters, probably nearly four, that they brought effort; they competed really well.

“We probably lacked a bit of polish with some of our skills going forward, but I thought it was a good performance.

“I thought we were actually pretty good around stoppages, I was quite pleased with the work that the boys did in the middle.

“I think the thing that let us down was probably our entry into the forward 50. It probably doesn’t help when you lack a couple of talls that didn’t play today, but we’ll get them back.”

 

WINCHELSEA withstood a late Inverleigh barrage to score a strong 15-point win over the Hawks.

Inverleigh kicked four straigh behinds in a tense last quarter to drag the margin back to nine points, but a Jared Dunkley snap sealed the win for the Blues.

Tim van der Klooster dominated as the spare man in defence, just days after having his one-game ban for failing to contribute to the league’s interleague side overturned.

“Inverleigh have been unbelievable this year so far, so to come over here and beat them on their home turf is hopefully the start of our year really,” Blues coach David Mensch said.

“It’s a big win for us ... it was a good team performance.”

“If we had of lost today it would of put us right back in the pack.”

 

Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell said the loss could come back to haunt his side.

“Extremely disappointing result,” McDowell said.

“They got ahead of themselves.

“It might be a very costly loss, that we just can’t get back.

“The bottom line is the game, I believe and they should believe, we were good enough to win, should’ve won it, but we didn’t. You’ve got to be disappointed.”

Bell Post Hill upset North Geelong in it’s top of the table clash.

The Panthers ran out four-point winners in a stunning display.

East Geelong powered to a 43-point win over Bannockburn in a high-scoring game.

Anakie finished too strong for Corio to steal victory by 15 points.

Werribee Centrals made Belmont Lions pay in the last quarter in their come from behind 17-point win.

THREE QUARTER TIME

COLTS INJURY UPDATE: The St Joseph’s player who was taken to hospital after convulsing following a bump against Newtown & Chilwell has been released. St Joseph’s Colts coach Nathan Harkness said the incident occurred off the ball behind the play during the second quarter.

The incident left the injured player unconscious for more than half an hour.

“It was a result of a bump and we’ve put in for an investigation,” he said.

“The club is rapped he’s now OK and was released from hospital later that day with a massive headache,” he said.

INJURY: Star South Barwon midfielder Mark Corrigan has been taken to hospital with concussion. He came off in the arms of the trainers and has not been sighted since going into the rooms. Corrigan was involved in a collision going for the ball.

INJURY: Danny Nichols has limped off with what could be a hamstring injury.

INJURY: Hamstring injury to Paul Davis looks likely to have ended his day in the Drysdale and Barwon Heads clash.

GFL: It’s been a fiery game of footy between St Albans and South Barwon. The Swans lead by 16 points at the final break but have been pushed all the way by the Supersaints today.

GFL: It’s all Newtown & Chilwell now as the Eagles take the margin right out to 39 points. The Dragons have put up a good fight, but the Eagles have just had too much class.

GFL: St Mary’s has got the margin out to 51 points against North Shore. The Seagulls young players are starting to feel the pinch late in games and a much classier St Mary’s has now got full control of the game.

GFL: Leopold now leads by three goals and is on the verge of a stunning on-the-road victory against Colac.

BFL: Queenscliff and Modewarre is set to go down to the wire with the Coutas holding a narrow four point lead. Both teams have had a fair share of the lead at key stages today.
BFL: Drysdale also continues to hold a four-point lead over Barwon Heads. It’s been an amazing game between the two teams, but Drysdale has continued to hold the lead when it has mattered most throughout the day.

BFL: Grubbers forward Daniel Freeman kicked the first two goals of the quarter to get the margin down to one point. Ammos kick away to 26 points late and look good value for their lead.

GDFL: Winchelsea leads by 11 points at half time. Ruckman James Huybens is the go to man for the Hawks in attack at the moment.

GDFL: Bell Post Hill is in front!!! The Panthers have a eight point lead at the final change against North Geelong.

GDFL: Corio has a four-point lead over Anakie heading into the final term.

HALF TIME

JUNIOR INJURY: A young St Joseph’s colts footballer was rushed to hospital follow a collision with another player. The colt bumped heads with another player and then hit his head on the ground. The player was knocked unconscious and was still convulsing when paramedics arrived.

INCIDENT: It’s twice in three weeks for South Barwon’s Adam Kurzman, who was helped off the ground in the hands of trainers. Geelong Addy reporter Nick Brown said the run-with player was involved in an incident behind the play. Stay tuned.

INJURY: Bad news for Ammos captain Marc O’Donohue who has come off with an ankle injury. He limped off just before half time after an innocuous incident. He can’t put weight on his leg at all.

INJURY: Star Drysdale junior Josh Rushton will miss the remainder of the game against Barwon Heads with a hamstring injury. Big blow for the Hawks.

GFL:

: ate goals to St Mary’s has given the powerhouse an 18-point lead at half time against North Shore. The Seagulls have really taken the game to St Mary’s and sat within a goal for the majority of the second quarter. Can St Mary’s break the game open from here?

 

GFL: Bell Park claimed the lead through Mitch Cuthill midway through the second quarter against Newtown & Chilwell, but the Eagles managed to pull away to a 16-point lead at the main break. Zane Vail has been huge in the ruck for the Dragons, while Luke Forbes has three goals to his name.

GFL: St Joseph’s has gained control of its match with GWSP. The Joeys are four goals up at the main break and look good value for their lead.

GFL: Grovedale is ahead to the tune of 49 points against Lara at half time in their match. It looks like a comfortable victory ahead for the Tigers.

GFL: The Supersaints started the quarter on fire with the opening two goals. But South Barwon, as usual, assumed control of the match to take a 13-point lead into the sheds.

GFL: An outstanding quarter by Leopold has it holding a seven-point lead over Colac at the main break. Jye Walker and Sam Hughes have been menacing in the forward line while Lions defender Jye Cross is enjoying a good game. Leopold’s Simon Close has three goals to his name.

BFL: Barwon Heads had the better quarter against Drysdale, despite being down by three points. Nick Hill and Sam Schaller have been very good, while Hawk Ben Carmichael now has four goals to his name. This one is going down to the wire.

BFL: The Grubbers have surged to be within 13 points at half time against Geelong Amateur. The Grubbers kicked three goals straight, while some poor discipline by the Ammos also handed Ocean Grove a goal.

BFL: It looks nasty for Newcomb, who is down by 148 points to Torquay.

BFL: Modewarre has worked back well into the game against Queenscliff and holds a seven-point lead.

BFL: Anglesea has started to look a bit better in front of goal in the second quarter, extending their margin to 34 points.

GDFL: Amazingly, Winchelsea now lead Inverleigh by nine points. The Blues swung momentum in that term with seven goals to three. There have been five lead changes in the match already, but it’s Winchelsea which is showing all the run.

GDFL: Bell Post Hill has clawed back the margin to eight points in it’s top of the table clash with North Geelong.

GDFL: East Geelong has destroyed Banockburn with a six goal to three quarter. It could have been more with the Eagles kicking 10 behinds for the match.

GDFL: A thriller at Corio with the Devils leading by three points at the main break.

GDFL: Belmont Lions holds a 15-point lead over centrals at the main break.

 

 

FIRST QUARTER

GFL: Great early signs at Windsor Park for North Shore. The Seagulls raced out to an early two goal lead before St Mary’s slowly worked itself into the game. Co-coaches Ged Brody and Jason Davenport will be happy with their team’s early endeavour. The Seagulls lead by one point.
GFL: Luke Forbes has been absolutely outstanding for Newtown & Chilwell in its clash with Bell Park. Forbes is at his menacing best in the Eagles forwardline with three goals and the Dragons have struggled to contain him.
GFL: St Albans has remained competitive in its tough battle with South Barwon. It has been very heated and physical early, with St Albans in control for parts of the term. A typical late surge gave the Swans a handy lead.

GFL: Continuing the theme of early surprises. GWSP has a one-goal lead over St Joseph’s at quarter time. The Roosters have looked good early, but the Joeys are now starting to warm up.

GFL: It’s been an arm wrestle in Colac as the Tigers hold a three-goal lead at the first break. Andrew Kelly has been super, while Jimmy Linton has copped some heavy attention by the Leopold midfield.

BFL: Anglesea has kicked nine straight behinds, but still leads Portarlington by two points. Could the Roos poor kicking be costly late?
BFL: It’s been a pretty defensive contest out at Queens Park for Ammos and Ocean Grove. A goal on the quarter time siren has Ammos looking in a solid position. Grubbers aren’t at full strength, but Ammos playing some fantastic footy.

BFL: Drysdale finds itself with a handy 13-point lead against Barwon Heads. Steve Brown and Josh Hopgood have enjoyed strong starts for the Hawks, while Ben Carmichael has two early goals to his name.

GDFL: Good early lead to Inverleigh against Winchelsea. The Hawks are looking the better side through the middle and have created lots by playing an empty forward line. The Blues have had chances but have wasted great chances. The margin is 17 points but could be closer.

GDFL: North Geelong has a 16-point lead in its battle with Bell Post Hill. This is the GDFL’s biggest match for the year and the Magpies have flexed some early muscle.

GDFL: East Geelong holds an eight-point lead over 15 point lead over Bannockburn at quarter time. The Tigers have looked good, so expect the margin to be brought back in if they can get a good run of play.

PREVIEWS

GFL

COLAC v LEOPOLD

This 5th v 6th clash may raise the top five by six points on the ladder if the Tigers are successful while a Lion victory will force a straight swap. Colac has proven to be dominant when playing at home over the last 12 months so the pressure will be on the Lion’s cubs early.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Leopold teenager Jack Berry enters his first return to the Central reserve off of an impressive month.

LAST TIME: Rd 15, 2013. Colac 11.10 (76) d Leopold 8.7 (55).

ADDY SAYS: Colac by 8 points.

 

SOUTH BARWON v ST ALBANS

IN A NUTHSELL: St Albans has not defeated the Swans in over ten years however Clinton Proctor’s men will enter this match with confidence on the back of a 94-point win over Lara, a 178-point turnaround from its last away game. Though both teams are situated in the bottom half of the ladder, the home ground advantage should guide South Barwon over the line.

PLAYER TO WATCH: 296-game veteran Clinton Wells was named in his side’s best last week for the first time since the 2012 GFL Grand Final.

LAST TIME: Rd 5, 2013. South Barwon 24.16 (160) d St Joseph’s 12.6 (78).

ADDY SAYS: South Barwon by 24 points.

 

GEELONG WEST ST PETERS v ST JOSEPH’S

St Joseph’s will require a large win to maintain top spot on the ladder as percentage places them above St Mary’s (who play North Shore tomorrow). The Joeys are the only side to have won all six of their third quarters this season while the Roosters have only won one quarter from their three home matches.

PLAYER TO WATCH: GWSP goal sneak Kevin Bourke was named in the best four times this year prior to kicking four goals in the Interleague side.

LAST TIME: Rd 12, 2013. St Joseph’s 9.13 (67) d GWSP 6.9 (45).

ADDY SAYS: St Joseph’s by 46 points.

 

BELL PARK v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL

Newtown & Chilwell has not won a game at the Hamlyn Park since 2006, nor has it won an away game since Round 1 against North Shore. Even if successful this weekend, the Eagles may not be able to return to the top two however the side is contention to maintain its mantle for most quarters won (18-1-5).

PLAYER TO WATCH: Yarrawonga recruit Jarrod Thompson has been named in the Dragons best five times so far.

LAST TIME: Semi Final, 2013. Bell Park 19.22 (136) d Newtown & Chilwell 15.14 (104).

ADDY SAYS: Newtown & Chilwell by 11 points.

 

NORTH SHORE v ST MARY’S

The Seagulls may have only won one of its last 24 games however that would be the last time these two sides met. Sadly, the Seagulls have only won one quarter and average a 128-point losing margin so far this season, ahead of their encounter with the Saints who will aim for a 6th straight win.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Brent Jacques kicked the winning goal against St Mary’s last season, it was the Seagulls last win to date.

LAST TIME: Rd 15, 2013. North Shore 7.9 (51) d St Mary’s 6.12 (48).

ADDY SAYS: St Mary’s by 90+ points.

 

LARA v GROVEDALE

It may have taken until Round 7 but Lara will finally return for its second home game, hosting a Tigers outfit desperate for a return to the top three. Hot topic of the past week has been the overseas departure of Nathan Deans therefore the pressure will be on Launceston recruit Alex Payne.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Hoppers Crossing recruit Joshua Huxtable was among four big names missing in Lara’s deficit to St Albans.

LAST TIME: Rd 9, 2013. Grovedale 10.12 (72) d Lara 4.13 (37).

ADDY SAYS: Grovedale by 50 points.

 

BFL

 

DRYSDALE VS BARWON HEADS

After a couple of big wins in recent weeks, the draw turns tough once again for Drysdale. The Hawks have never been a high-scoring side, and that trend is unlikely to change today against what should be a resolute Barwon Heads defence.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Rd 18, 2013: Drysdale 17.13 (115) d Barwon Heads 16.14 (110)

ONE TO WATCH: Ben Carmichael (Drys) — The midfielder/forward is a Hawks veteran whose dedication to winning the ball is rarely beaten.

TIP: Drysdale by 22 points

 

NEWCOMB VS TORQUAY

Tigers coach Craig McCaughan will emphasise to his players how important a strong first quarter is after they give the Coutas too big a headstart last round, while the issue of inaccuracy is also one that has plagued the yellow and black of late. They should have little trouble this weekend.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Rd 12, 2013: Torquay 26.21 (177) d Newcomb 11.4 (70)

ONE TO WATCH: James Darke (Tor) — Last year’s Rookie of the Year was rewarded with valuable experience in the 2014 interleague match and conducted himself well.

TIP: Torquay by 95 points

 

PORTARLINGTON VS ANGLESEA

For all their improvement, the Demons still have only one win. Port must see today as a big opportunity at home, especially against an Anglesea side that has also shown promise but has failed to finish games. A victory today would be just rewards.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Rd 12, 2013: Anglesea 18.15 (123) d Portarlington 11.5 (71)

ONE TO WATCH: Matthew Kennedy (Ang) — Can come off the bench for a goal or two and spark some life into the side.

TIP: Portarlington by 8 points

 

GEELONG AMATEUR VS OCEAN GROVE

While coaches always talk of taking things “one week at a time”, this is clearly the apex of the Grubbers’ season so far. The rest of Ocean Grove’s draw plays out favourably after this big test, but quirks in this year’s fixture means that these two sides will meet each other twice in less than two months. Geelong Amateur, though, has taken on all comers with relative ease this year and will go in as favourites.

LAST TIME THEY MET: SF, 2013: Geelong Amateur 13.19 (97) d Ocean Grove 8.13 (61)

ONE TO WATCH: Tom Balding (GA) — Four goals for the Bellarine side last weekend and 10 for the Ammos the week before, Balding can barely miss right now.

TIP: Geelong Amateur by 26 points

 

QUEENSCLIFF VS MODEWARRE

As the weeks go by, the reigning premiers will welcome more and more players back. As that happens, and the Coutas build confidence, the will surely become one of the biggest threats in the league yet again. Tom Limb knows that his side must win basically every remaining game to secure a top three spot, but he has kept the faith all year and should inspire his team to victory today.

LAST TIME THEY MET:Rd 18, 2013: Queenscliff 15.10 (100) d Modewarre 7.8 (50)

ONE TO WATCH: Jesse Claffey (Mod) — Return from a month’s absence to play a superb game in his side’s heartbreakingly close loss to Barwon Heads.

TIP: Queenscliff by 53 points

 

 

GDFL

INVERLEIGH VS WINCHELSEA

Inverleigh has been in fine form and have been even more impressive on its home turf having returned three convincing wins in 2014 at Inverleigh Reserve. Winchelsea were disappointing a fortnight ago against East Geelong and will be searching for a far better performance as its takes on another finals contender.

PLAYER WATCH: Hawk James Huybens was influential a fortnight ago with his six second half goals.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Winchelsea 14.5.89 def Inverleigh 11.11.77

PREDICTION: The Hawks by 21 points.

 

BELMONT LIONS VS WERRIBEE CENTRALS

It has been a lean period for the Lions since its round one win over Corio, having not tasting victory since. Its task gets no easier as it takes on the Centrals. Werribee have been one of the most inconsistent sides over the first six rounds of 2014, but still find themselves in the top five. More performances like a fortnight ago will see the Centrals again climb up the ladder.

PLAYER WATCH: Central Jason Butty booted nine goals in round 6 to bring his 2014 tally to 21.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Werribee Centrals 16.16.112 def Belmont Lions 2.2.14

PREDICTION: Werribee Centrals by 69 points.

 

BELL POST HILL VS NORTH GEELONG

The Grand Final rematch couldn’t be better poised. The two sides are undefeated and just as they were nine months ago; they are the two stand out sides. It has been sometime since the Panthers have lost at Myers Reserve, having inflicted North Geelong’s only home and away season loss in the corresponding match last year. With both sides in top form, another classic contest is on the cards.

PLAYER WATCH: Dylan Witney was best on ground in the Interleague clash and will be one to watch in tomorrow’s blockbuster.

LAST TIME THEY MET: North Geelong 17.11.123 def Bell Post Hill 13.15.93

PREDICTION: North Geelong by 4 points.

 

EAST GEELONG VS BANNOCKBURN

It has not been the start to the season Bannockburn would have been after. A side many expected to strongly push for finals after a promising 2013, the Tigers sit eighth with just two wins and face another tough match tomorrow afternoon. Whereas the Eagles have stormed back into top form, with three wins on the trot, highlighted by a superb performance against Winchelsea a fortnight ago.

PLAYER WATCH: East Geelong’s Sam Prymke returned to top form against the Blues, he was also

instrumental last time these two sides met.

LAST TIME THEY MET: East Geelong 9.18.72 def Bannockburn 8.8.56

PREDICTION: East Geelong to make it four in a row, by 48 points.

 

CORIO VS ANAKIE

Both clubs are looking for win number two for 2014. While their respective 1-5 records don’t make for good reading on paper, the two sides form has been competitive in recent weeks and this will be another close contest. Last time they met just three points separated the two sides and this week could again go down to the wire.

PLAYER WATCH: Roo Jayden Ettridge is enjoying some hot form, having kicked 13 goals in his past three outings.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Anakie 5.14.44 def Corio 5.11.41

PREDICTION: Anakie by 7 points.

 

GEELONG WEST VS THOMSON

It was a forgettable week for the Tigers following a 133-point thumping at the hands of Werribee, the week off coming at an appropriate time given its past three weeks. As for the Cheetahs, which Geelong West outfit will turn up Saturday afternoon? The club has returned a mixture of results and will be eager to register a win to gain momentum in 2014.

PLAYER WATCH: Robbie Sims was the Cheetahs best a fortnight ago, always offering plenty of run and carry.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Thomson 14.13.97 def Geelong West 7.10.52

PREDICTION: Geelong West by 30 points.

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