Portarlington vs Torquay

It was a massacre at Portarlington Recreation Reserve last Friday as Torquay destroyed the Demons by 198 points. The Tigers now sit comfortably at the top of the ladder with a 400% boost.

Small midfielder James Darke was one of the standouts for Torquay, ending the game with four goals. Equally as impressive was Thomas Burke’s tally of four majors. Callum Currie, Reef and Clay Page were just behind them with three goals apiece.

The Demons were outplayed in every way. Their only major came from Shane Wiffen in the final term. This upcoming Anzac Day, Portarlington will host Drysdale. The Demons will need to be at their best if the Demons are a chance to take it up to the Hawks. Torquay will face Anglesea who are yet to win a game.

Goals

Portarlington: S.Wiffen

Torque: 4 J. Darke, 4 T. Burke, 3 C. Currie, 3 C. Page, 3 R. Page, 2 S. Ham, 2 B. Henderson, 2 W. Tamassy, 2 T. Yensch, 2 S. Caruso, M. Croxford, N. Mifsud, J. Heathcote

Final Score

Portarlington: 1.2 (8)

Torquay: 30.26 (206)

Geelong Amateur vs Modewarre

At Queens Park Reserve, Geelong was up in the first term. However, it was Modewarre who came storming home to win by 45 points.

For the Warriors, it was Jeremy Ollis and Matty McKim who led the charge through the midfield. The solid work rate of the pair had their forward line going frantic after a quiet first term. Tom Hornsey finished the day with three majors, complimenting him were Aaron Black, Connor Joseph, and Thomas Worpel with two goals each.

Spiro Alesios and Sam Darley had solid performances for Geelong, as did Jack Scarlett who was a rock in defence. Lachlan Devine provided a good target up forward but only finished with one major for the game.

Modewarre‘s next stop is Howard Harmer Oval where they will meet Barwon Heads. The Warriors are still undefeated, but the Seagulls should provide a challenge after crushing Anglesea with ease. As for Geelong, they will have to face another tough opponent at home when they meet Newcomb.

Goals

Geelong Amateur: K. Bucovaz, S. Bucovaz, L. Crichton, L. Devine, L. Reilly

Modewarre Seniors: 3 T. Hornsey, 2 A. Black, 2 C. Joseph, 2 T. Worpel, T. Bartlett, C. Farrell, M. Kasparian, B. Wemyss

Final Score

Geelong Amateur: 6.12 (48)

Modewarre Seniors: 13.15 (93)

Barwon Heads vs Anglesea

With their first win of the season, Barwon Heads destroyed Anglesea last Saturday with a 63-point victory.

Sammy Baker was the hero of the day. Baker finished the game with three majors and was named best on ground. Mitchell Phelps also had a day out, four goals from his boot helped bury the Kangaroos. Noah McGregor-Dawson, Ryan Harvey, Kyle Polley, and Oliver Wiltshire, were also named among the best for the Seagulls.

Dylan Pettingill was the difference for Anglesea. Pettingill snagged three majors with Jordan Keras not far behind him with two. Although Anglesea was keeping pace in the first term, they fell away quickly in the second and could not recover.

Anglesea battles the top of the table Tigers next week while Barwon Heads will test themselves against Modewarre.

Goals

Barwon Heads: 4 M. Phelps, 3 S. Baker, 2 M. Hardiman, 2 R. Harvey, 2 C. McKinnon, 2 L. Wilson, B. Close, C. Hurst, N. McGregor-Dawson, L. Vella, O. Wiltshire

Anglesea: 3 D. Pettingill, 2 J. Keras, O. Balderas, L. Beers, D. Elliott, R. Williams          

Final Score

Barwon Heads: 20.9 (129)

Anglesea:  9.12 (66)

Drysdale vs Queenscliff

Without a doubt the match of the round. At halftime, the Coutas took the lead by five goals. But the Hawks managed to claw their way back into the contest and steal the win by one point.

It was Billy Beardsell who kicked the sealer from a tremendous snap with only seconds left, it was his second major of the day. Despite hamstring issues, Tom Ruggles powered through kicking a bag of five majors. Nicholas Egan battled hard through the midfield as did Ben Ryan.

For Queenscliff, Caleb Whitley was strong up forward. Whitley finished the match with three goals, with Sol Bowtell, Brod Dawson, and Jake Hedley finishing with two goals apiece. The defensive efforts from Queenscliff in the last term were outstanding. The Hawks just snuck through.

The Coutas will be very angry from this defeat. They will look to make a statement when they take on Ocean Grove this Saturday. Drysdale, on the other hand, continues their undefeated season and will meet Portarlington on Anzac Day.

Goals

Queenscliff: 3 C. Whitley, 2 Sol Bowtell, 2 B. Dawson, 2 J. Hedley, N. Fenby, D. Gibbs, J. Rush

Drysdale: 5 T. Ruggles, 3 M. Hebbard, 2 B. Beardsell, F. Chisholm, J. Hargreaves

Final Score

Queenscliff: 12.9 (81)

Drysdale: 12.10 (82)

Ocean Grove vs Newcomb

The last game of the round finished off Easter in spectacular form with a helicopter ride and another tight contest. Ocean Grove had their chances late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert. In the end, Newcomb was the winner by only three points.

Will Farrow and Bray Cullinan were engine room for Power’s midfield. They played the game out until the very end. Richie Hollins led well out from the forward line, but it was tall timber Andrew Steel with two goals including the sealer in the final term. Nathan McDonald was the pillar in defence for Newcomb.

Ocean Grove’s forwards fought hard and although they weren’t accurate in front of goal, the pressure brought by Josh Horton, Harley Pearce, and Tom Chalkley was immense. Their backline was also well served by Kye Annand and Mitch Taylor. Taylor seems to have more time than most players to make a decision with the ball.

Ocean Grove will have to work on their accuracy in front of goal when they take on Queenscliff. The Coutas will be no easy feat after losing to the Hawks by one point. Newcomb will have to travel to Geelong next Saturday and meet the Ammos on their home turf.

Goals

Ocean Grove: 2 J. McDonald, 2 D. Moroney, K. Annand, T. Chalkley, J. Paterson, H. Pearce, T. Ruck

Newcomb:  2 C. Eagle, 2 A. Steele, M. Andrews, F. Anscombe, N. Brown, B. Cullinan, B. Rees, B. Ritchie

Final Score

Ocean Grove: 9.13 (67)

Newcomb: 10.10 (70)

South Barwon vs Lara

Although the Cats initially put up a fight in the first term, it was all South Barwon for the rest of the game. The Swans strolled away by 98 points as Lara suffered another heavy loss.

The Cats had no answer for Andrew Boseley who kicked eight majors for the day. Sam James complimented him well with two goals of his own on top of 32 disposals. Oliver Lee and Mathew Condon also finished strongly with two goals apiece.

Bayley Cockerill was one of the Cats’ best. 28 disposals and one goal saw a solid effort from Cockerill in a poor loss. Kane Higgins was another contributor with 26 touches and five tackles, but it was a day of sorrow for the Cats with few heroes to speak of.

South Barwon remain undefeated after two rounds of football. After the break, the Swans will meet St Joseph’s on Anzac Day at Herne Hill. Lara, on the other hand, will meet Grovedale on Sunday the 24th of April.

Goals

South Barwon: 8 A. Boseley, 2 O. Lee, 2 S. James, 2 M. Caldow, R.Dillion, J. Syddall, J. Carmody, J. Driver, B. Scott

Lara Seniors: D. Jose, B. Harvey, M. Day, B. Cockerill

Final Score

South Barwon: 19.16 (130)

Lara Seniors: 4.8 (32)

St Albans vs Bell Park

St Albans has suffered another poor defeat with the deficit being 102 points. Bell Park has responded to last week’s loss with an astounding roar.

Jackson Bright wreaked havoc last Saturday, finishing with seven majors, 16 marks, and 26 disposals.  Benjamin Worme was also keeping busy, with 27 touches, six clearance, and one goal. Nicholas Petering also made his presence felt up forward with four majors, complemented by Lachlan Patten with three of his own.

Despite the heavy loss Sam Donegan stood tall for St Albans. 31 disposals, eight clearances, and four inside 50’s showed his efforts, while Bailey Brudgon ended his day with 26 touches.

In two weeks, the Dragons will face Colac at Hamlyn Park. As for St Albans, they are off to a very slow start for the 2022 season. The Saints will need to regroup during the Easter break. Their next match is against Leopold, and they are going to need to show some fight if they are to get their season back on track.

Goals

St Albans: 2 J. Russell, H. Howarth, B.Miller, T. Johnston

Bell Park: 7 J. Bright, 4 N. Petering, 3 L. Patten, 2 W. McSparron, B. Worme, J. Fulton, C. Starcaveic, W. Christie

Final Score

St Albans: 5.7 (37)

Bell Park: 20.18(138)

Geelong West vs Grovedale

Fearing another tight loss, it was the Giants who ran rampant in the final term to seal the win over Grovedale by 16 points.

It was Baxter Mensch that proved to be unstoppable for the Giants racking up 37 touches, seven inside 50’s, and one major. Emmanuel Ajang had seven inside 50’s himself, collecting 32 touches in a tough game. Jacson Collins was the tip of the spear for Geelong West. In harsh weather conditions, Collins put three majors on the board which ultimately led to the Tigers’ defeat.

For Grovedale, it was Matt Harvey who put up another outstanding performance with 35 disposals and six inside 50’s. Harrison Whyte and Cassidy Parish also finished strongly combining 57 disposals for their efforts. Up forward, Flynn Young was the difference kicking four straight majors.

Geelong West is on the right track so far despite the close loss in Round 1. After Easter, they will have a chance to test themselves against a real contender in Newtown & Chilwell. Grovedale will be bitter about this loss after coming so close. Lara is their next opponent, and the Tigers will be looking to make a statement.

Goals

Geelong West Giants: 3 J. Collins, T. Stone, M. Kelly, T. Watts, S. Barnes, T. Lewis, M. Cousins, B. Mensch P. Moimoi

Grovedale: 4 F. Young, J. Baker, M. Chafer, C. Delaney, J. Dale, B Spicer

Final Score

Geelong West Giants: 11.12 (78)

Grovedale: 9.8 (62)

North Shore vs St Joseph’s

Due to North Shore’s inaccuracy in front of goal, St Joseph’s managed to hop away with a 13-point victory. The Seagulls came storming home in the last quarter, but unfortunately, the blitz came too late.

Brant Haintz and Luke Web were the showrunners for St Joseph’s. With their combined efforts, they amassed 48 disposals, with a kicking efficiency no lower than 88%. Jack Mentha was their only multiple goal scorer with two majors.

For North Shore, it was Nicholas Dixon who had another day out. A lazy 36 touches, with six clearances, ended his day on a good note. The next best was Brad Gerald at 26 with Jack Leonard and Noah Lever finishing with 24 disposals apiece. Like the Joey’s, the Seagulls had only one multiple goal scorer with two majors off the boot of Cooper Langdon.

North Shore will be disappointed with their accuracy in front of goal considering their previous performance against Lara previously. After the Easter holidays, they will face the reigning premiers in St Mary’s. St Joseph’s will also have a challenge when they meet South Barwon on Anzac Day.

Goals

North Shore: 2 C. Langdon, S. Witherdon, J. Patrick, J. Davenport, W. Milsome, J. Leonard, B. Smith                   

St Joseph’s:  2 J. Mentha, L. Web, F. Mccombe, J. Mullen, J. Gow, R. Kershaw, L. Antonac, J. Buckley, A. Gras

Final Score

North Shore: 8.15 (63)

St Joseph’s: 10.16 (76)

Colac vs St Mary’s

The reigning premiers continue their rampage as Colac fell to the champions by 54 points.

Harry Benson led the charge for St Mary’s, managing to find the ball 36 times and clearing it eight times from stoppages. Patrick Dowling also had another solid outing with 24 touches and four goals. Dowling is proving to be a handful in recent weeks.

For Colac, Lachlan Simpkin was a jet off the halfback flanks with 32 disposals. Ryan Monaghan and Ben McCarthy fought hard in the trenches to collect 31 disposals each. Unfortunately, it was not enough to withstand the onslaught of St Mary’s.

St Mary’s has proven they are still the team to beat. North Shore will get their chance against St Mary’s in the next round, but it will take an astounding effort to beat the reigning premiers. Colac will need to go back to the drawing board. Their next match is against Bell Park who are brewing with confidence after their demolition job of Lara.

Goals

Colac:  2 D. Lang, J. Williamson, S. Simpkin, D. Felekos, D. Walters, A. Hawker, L. Hillman

St Mary’s: 4 P. Dowling, 2 J. Dahlhaus, 2 T. Lang, 2 S. Bourke, J. Blood, H. Benson, D. McMahon, D. Chirgwin, M. Keast, J. Travaglini

Final Score

Colac: 8.9 (57)

St Mary’s: 16.15 (111)

Newtown and Chilwell vs Leopold

The Lions pushed hard against Newton & Chilwell, but the Eagles managed to keep Leopold at bay and win by 20 points.

Mathew Boag, Blake Sutterby, and Mitch Diamond all had 27 touches with an average disposal efficiency of 80%. Lachlan Bond again stepped up from last week’s proceedings, kicking a bag of five with Charlie Harris the next best with two.

On the other side of the coin, Luke Justin was steadfast in defiance for the Lions with 18 touches. Mitchell Patten was just as impressive up forward scoring two majors, one from the impossible angle. Leopold’s leading disposalist was Jake Pit with 20.

The Eagles will have to face the Giants after the break. Newtown & Chilwell have not lost a game yet sitting third on the ladder. Even in defeat, Geelong West has pushed teams to their limits. The Eagles should be wary of this upcoming game.  The Lions are now 1-1 for the season, their next match is at home against St Albans. Despite St Albans being at the bottom of the ladder, Leopold will want to come out firing from the opening bounce.

Goals

Newtown & Chilwell: 5 L. Bond, 2 C. Harris, M. Condy, J. Sheahan, M. Diamond, A.Pocock

Leopold: 2 M. Patten, S. Hughes, R. Maibaum, J. Edmonds, B. Clark, M. Thompson, J. Pitt

Final Score

Newtown & Chilwell: 11.9 (75)

Leopold: 8.7 (55)