Ocean Grove has come out on top in one of the most entertaining games of the Bellarine season, holding off competition newcomers Surf Coast by 15 points in a 38-goal shootout at Summertime Pools Oval.
In a contest that produced the second-highest aggregate score of the season, the accurate Grubbers recorded their third win of the season, 21.6 (132) to 17.15 (117), to pull to within two games of the top five.
“They’ve got some really classy high-end players that lead the way for them, and I don’t think either side would have gone in there any less confident or favoured going into the game,” Ocean Grove co-coach Dave Farrell said.
“It was really good for us to be able to get ahead early.
“They certainly challenged us and changed the way the game looked at times.
“But for us to come away with four points was really exciting for the boys.”
While most coaches would be disappointed to concede such a high score, Farrell says that’s a byproduct of the way Ocean Grove is aiming to play.
“Last year, our defensive side of our game was really good, but we struggled to generate scores or even scoring opportunities going forward,” he said.
‘So, to be honest, the opportunities that we’ve been able to capitalise on from our perspective were probably more important going forward and seeing growth in the team that way.”
With their highest-scoring quarter of the season, where they kicked eight goals, Ocean Grove raced to a 28-point lead at quarter-time.
However, the Suns slammed on six consecutive goals to open the second term, including three to Geelong West (GDFNL) recruit Ted Walliss to claim an 11-point lead.
The Grubbers snatched back the advantage with three goals just before half-time, taking a seven-point buffer into the main break.
Recruit Lorne Waldron came to life during the third quarter for the visitors, kicking three goals, while James Paterson contributed two to push the margin out to 31 points.
However, the Suns weren’t done with.
Four goals either side of three-quarter time, including two to open the final term from Mitch Wright, cut the margin to two points.
But Ocean Grove was able to steady thanks to goals from Ben Coote, Jack Thomson and Ethan Waldron, giving the Grubbers some confidence heading into next week’s Battle of the Bridge with Barwon Heads.
Waldron’s impressive first season at Ray Menzies Oval continued, with his five goals giving him 25 for the season, while James Paterson contributed four.
Lachie Morrow was named best for the Grubbers.
“He’s a really hard worker,” Farrell said. “He’s probably been unlucky not to get opportunities at representative level and through the Falcons.
“But his workrate and the way he applies himself in the contest are first class for a 19-year-old.”
Ocean Grove will be forced into two changes for the clash with the Seagulls, with Lachie Joyce entering the concussion protocol and Levi Norman suffering a broken finger.
Former Grubber Luke Cartelli finished with four goals for the Suns, with Walliss and Tommy Stephen each contributing three. Zac Warne was named their best.
A four-goal burst to finish the contest has helped Drysdale keep alive its slim finals hopes heading into the second half of the season, beating reigning premier Anglesea by two points at Ellimatta Reserve, 15.11 (101) to 15.9 (99).
Trailing by 24 points when Roo Alex Braaksma goaled at the 15-minute mark, three consecutive majors from Jake Hargreaves breathed life into the contest before Luke Preece was sent forward.
The star defender took a mark and then calmly slotted a banana to put the Hawks in front for the first time in the contest with less than a minute to play.
Preece had spent most of the day marking Angelsea spearhead Ayden Gras after veteran backman Tim Delaney was forced from the ground with a knee issue in the first quarter.
Drysdale also lost Chris Tainton to a suspected broken arm in the third term.
Hawks recruits Ollie Castro and Sam Willatt kicked four and three goals, respectively, with 17-year-old Castro defying illness to have an impact.
Hargreaves finished with four goals.
Despite Preece’s close checking, Gras kicked four majors, taking his season tally to 31.
A nine-goal haul from Sam Lloyd proved the difference as Geelong Amateur overcame Portarlington by 51 points at Portarlington Recreation Reserve, 19.15 (129) to 11.12 (78).
Following his best return since joining the Pegs at the start of 2025, the former Richmond and Western Bulldogs AFL player has moved into the lead in the race for the ‘Chooka’ Piec Medal.
His 38 goals are five clear of Queenscliff young gun Jordan Monahan.
Mitch Day was also impressive, with a season-high five goals.
Kelly Pickard kicked three goals and was among the best for the Demons.
A concussion suffered late in the game by off-season addition Doug Bond has taken some of the gloss off a 38-point Barwon Heads win over Newcomb at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval.
Bond was knocked out in a collision during the final term of the 19.14 (128) to 13.12 (90) result, which further strengthens the Seagulls’ top-three claims.
Premiership pair Charlie Hurst and Michael Philp were standouts, while Jack Henderson (five goals) and Jake Whybrow (four) were the dominant forwards on the ground.
Co-captain Tom Webster’s recent move forward continues to pay dividends, finishing with three goals for the Power, who remain a game clear inside the top five despite consecutive losses.
Forward duo Tynan Smith and Hugh Trigg again combined well as Torquay claimed its seventh win of the season with a 17.19 (121) to 11.6 (72) result at McCartney Oval.
The pair kicked three goals apiece, while Angus Handley, Van Rahilly and Ned Turner each contributed two majors.
Tom Hornsey and Jordan Motton both kicked three goals for the Warriors.
X: @krockfootball
