The Standard | OLD Collegians took until the last quarter to see off a dogged Panmure and keep in touch with the Warrnambool and District league top five.
The Warriors trailed at half-time and led by four points at the last break before kicking away to win 16.18 (114) to 13.9 (87) at Panmure Recreation Reserve.
Swingman Aaron Williams booted five goals for the victors in a best-afield display while Justin Lynch (three goals) and James Ryan toiled well throughout.
Ryan was forced to ruck throughout after teammate Vinnie Fogarty — the Warriors’ third-choice tall — suffered concussion in the opening minutes.
“We had Vinnie Fogarty get knocked out early in the first. It made us change our structures and throw things around,” Beechey said.
“From there we had to pinch another bloke to ruck. It snowballed from there.
“They got a bit of a run on and wanted the ball more. We were just going.”
Beechey credited the Bulldogs for threatening to upstage his men.
He particularly lauded big man Tom White, the dominant figure on the ground.
“He would’ve taken a dozen contested marks. If he doesn’t get the three votes yesterday, something has gone wrong. He played very well.”
The second-year coach was pleased that the Warriors gradually got on top the longer the match went on.
They booted 8.10 to 3.3 after half-time.
“I think we just got our run going a bit more and lifted our intensity around the footy,” he said.
“Our stoppage work was ordinary (in the first half). They were harder at the footy. Once we started winning the footy a bit more, the game turned.”
The win gave Old Collegians a 3-4 record at the break for interleague.
They are seventh, a game behind fifth-ranked Kolora-Noorat.
Their finals hopes go on the line against high-flying Nirranda in a fortnight although the draw opens up in the weeks that follow.
“We haven’t had a perfect start to the year, let’s be honest, but we’ve had some tough games as well,” Beechey said.
“We’ve showed a bit and found out some weaknesses and things we need to work on.
“The break has come at a time where we can assess that and get ready to go forward and set ourselves for the next block.”
White and Sam Mahony were the Bulldogs’ best, leading the way as they have all season.
Mahony and Haynes led the goalkicking with three each while Brady Purcell and Patrick Ryan also figured prominently.
The Bulldogs’ draw also opens up after the break, with Deakin University, Russells Creek and Timboon Demons representing winnable matches.
