Queenscliff has snatched its first win of the season after holding on for a thrilling one-point win over Drysdale.
In front of a massive crowd at the Couta Bowl, the home team held off numerous forward forays by the Hawks in the closing stages to claim a 10.15 (75) to 10.14 (74) victory.
It’s the second time in as many weeks that Queenscliff has been involved in a heartstopping finish after falling to Barwon Heads by six points last week.
“I thought last week Barwon Heads probably executed better under fatigue,” coach Heath Jamieson said.
“And this week, I don’t even know if we executed better than Drysdale under fatigue, but it was two sides that had a fair go at each other.
“Yeah, we’re rapt to get away with a win there, to be honest. You don’t say you think you deserve it, but we probably did.
“Last week was a good effort against Heads, but we couldn’t quite get over the line.”
Despite starting 1-2, Jamieson is confident that a win over last year’s preliminary finalists is a sign of the evolution of Queenscliff’s young list.
“We rate Drysdale Footy Club really, really highly,” he said,
“I think last year in the two games, they beat us by 10 goals and then 15 goals.
“We wanted to see how far we had improved when we played them today.
“So to get the four points is huge for us.”
After making his Geelong Falcons debut last week, Jordan Monahan returned to kick three goals for Queenscliff.
However, it was the midfield group that impressed Jamieson.
“Che Durran, Lachie Kidd, and Jake Lindrea were super,” he said,
“I think Drysdale were on top early, but they grinded away all day.
“I think those three were really good.”
Five players kicked two goals apiece for Drysdale – Ben Fennell, Jake Hagreaves, Lachie Nelis, Chris Tainton and Joel Watson.
Nick Egan, Matt Pigott, and Tom Ruggles were best for the Hawks.
Elsewhere, Portarlington has recorded its biggest win and highest score in eight years in overcoming Newcomb by 37 points at Ron Evans Oval.
The Demons kicked a phenomenally accurate 22.5 (137) to the Power’s 15.10 (100) in an old-fashioned shootout.
Teia Miles kicked five goals, and Connor Menadue and captain Mitch Turnbull kicked four apiece.
Recruits Jack Dorgan (three goals), Scott Greenhough, and Nick Sing were also crucial for Port, which climbed to third on the ladder.
Reigning league-leading goalkicker Jack Duke was again lively with four goals to take his season tally to 12.
Anglesea bounced from its Round 2 loss to Geelong Amateur with a comfortable 50-point win over Ocean Grove at Ellimatta Reserve, 17.13 (115) to 9.11 (65).
The Seas jumped to a 25-point lead at quarter time and were never seriously threatened by the Grubbers, who were without Geelong VFL-listed duo Kye Annand and Taj Wyburd due to injury.
Lachie Smith was a standout for the winners, finishing with four goals, while returning duo Dale Kerr and Ben Jaska kicked three apiece.
Veteran Jye Walker kicked four goals for the Grubbers, while Josh Lange finished with three majors and was their best.
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