After admitting they took Queenscliff “too lightly” in their first meeting of the season, co-coach Riley Kershaw says Geelong Amateur wasn’t going to let the Coutas have the better of them for a second time.
The Pegs took another step towards securing the minor premiership, remaining three games clear on top of the ladder, with a 54-point win at Queens Park, 17.14 (116) to 9.8 (62), their seventh consecutive victory.
After taking a 15-point lead into quarter time, Ammos took control of the contest with a six-goal-to-two second term, opening up a 42-point half-time buffer.
“I think there’s the mental side of it from the players that, when a side gets you, you always have it in the back of your mind and you always want to get one back on them,” Kershaw said.
“We did our homework a little bit more this time, and the first to admit that maybe last time we just took the Couta too lightly.
“We put a fair bit of work into them this week, so we’re really pleased at how, one, we responded as a playing group from a mental side of things from the first time around and then two, just as a group performing to the system.”
Outside run was where Queenscliff was able to challenge Amateur in the Round 5 clash.
However, the midfield, led by Tom Gribble (31 disposals) and the returning Blake Sutterby (25), ensured Ammos got their hands on the footy first to allow their outside runners to provide plenty of ball inside the forward 50 for Mitch Day, co-coach Sam Lloyd and Charley Green.
Day finished with six goals to take his season tally to 58, with Lloyd and Green each kicking three majors.
“Last time, they got us on the outside, and we pride ourselves on the outside as well,” Kershaw said.
“They really went to work on the inside, and then that allowed them to work on the outside.
“I’d like to think that we reversed that role yesterday, and we were able to sort of generate our outside run and speed and generate play off halfback and just allowed our forwards to get to work.
“And that’s probably something that we didn’t allow last time.”
Veteran defender Dan Weigl, who took ten marks, was a clear standout in Kershaw’s eyes.
“Anyone that’s seen the way he plays the game, the way he sets up the side is invaluable,” Kershaw said.
“And when he gets the footy in his hands, he’s a bloody star.
“But his leadership and his ability to set us up from an attacking position are invaluable.”
“He was amazing yesterday.”
Despite holding a three-game buffer on top of the ladder with five rounds to play, Kershaw will only contemplate the Pegs having two cracks at playing in a grand final when it is a certainty.
“We have to focus on the next block because you don’t have to look too far into history to see that this league is so even that anything can happen,” he said.
“We’ve just got to get through this next block and then worry about what’s after that.
“We’ve got a mixed run on the way home, so we’ve got to be on the whole way through.
“We can’t really start to think about that (minor premiership) just yet.”
In the absence of leading goalkicker Izaak Grant, Queenscliff was held to its third-lowest score of the season.
Teenage forward Jordy Monahan kicked three goals, while Zach Henderson and Kai Keenan finished with two majors apiece.
Jordy McIvor-Clark, who finished with 35 disposals, and captain Caleb Whitley were named the Coutas’ best.
Following next week’s league bye, Geelong Amateur travels to Drysdale, while Queenscliff returns home to take on Newcomb.
Torquay held off a final-quarter charge from Anglesea to post a 12-point victory and consolidate its spot inside the top three.
After a rare goalless first quarter from both teams at McCartney, the Tigers jumped to a 17-point lead at half-time and 25 points at the final change.
The Seas kicked 4.3 to 2.2 in the last term, but the reigning premier held on for a 9.10 (64) to 7.10 (52) victory.
Captain Ben McNamara and four-time Ash medallist James Darke were standouts for Torquay, which had eight individual goalkickers.
Key forward Ayden Gras kicked three goals for Anglesea to take his season tally to 53.
Cam Hutchinson and Will Collins were named the Seas’ best.
Barwon Heads has moved back into the top five after overcoming a plucky Portarlington at Ron Evans Oval by 14 points.
The Seagulls led at every change, including 27 points at three-quarter time, but couldn’t quite shake the Demons, who cut the margin to eight points late in the contest, before posting an 11.18 (84) to 10.10 (70) victory.
Marley Cornell and Kyle Maher were standouts for Barwon Heads, with Zach Walter, Jake Whybrow and Lachie Wilson each kicking two goals.
Connor Mendue and Kelly Pickard each kicked four goals for Portarlington, with Pickard’s performance coming in his first outing since Round 5.
A fast start has proved the difference as Drysdale overcame Newcomb by 40 points at Grinter Reserve.
The Hawks kicked seven goals to two in the opening quarter to race to a 29-point lead, and were able to hold the Power for a 14.8 (92) to 7.10 (52) victory.
Star midfielder Ben Fennell and talented youngster Chris Tainton each kicked three goals for Drysdale.
Josh Saltlamacchia kicked five goals for Newcomb, with reigning league-leading goalkicker Jake Duke goalless for the first time this season.
Modewarre remains in the finals hunt thanks to a 45-point victory over Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval, 12.11 (83) to 6.2 (38).
Connor Joseph’s return to form continued with a game-high three goals, with defenders Oscar Cooke and captain Morgan Fenton key contributors.
Caleb Belcher kicked two goals for the Grubbers.
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