Momentum builds momentum.
Ocean Grove co-coach Dave Farrell will be drumming this phrase into his players as they look to start a Bellarine season 2-0 for the first time since 2018 when it hosts Portarlington at Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday.
The Grubbers caused the lesser-talked-about upset of the opening round, overcoming Modewarre at Mt Moriac Reserve for the first time since 2017.
However, Farrell and his players know the victory over the Warriors is only the start of the club’s hope for a return to relevance.
“The feeling within the group was by no means satisfied,” he said. “It was just, ‘How good is this? And how do we recreate it?’
“The messaging and the follow-up work between 4 o’clock on Saturday and now has been nothing short of outstanding from our playing group.
“And I know the coaches are working doubly hard just to make sure that we can optimise the year at the start and capitalise on the work the boys put in on the weekend.”
Farrell is wary of a Portarlington team that came to Ray Menzies Oval in Round 2 last year and snapped a 30-year losing streak.
The Demons led Barwon Heads by two points in Round 1 before fading after half-time to fall by 55 points.
“I did manage to sneak a little bit of time in front of the screen on Sunday and have a look at them,” Farrell said.
“They’re certainly kicking the ball well and (it) would have been some windy, challenging conditions at times on a small deck at Barron Heads.
“So, for them to get a really solid start – it might have been eight more scoring shots at half-time – certainly shows that they’ve made some steps forward.
“We were aware of that and see the whole competition’s improved.
“So, we’re definitely up for the challenge.”
With the VFL competition on hold this weekend, Ocean Grove expects to have access to Geelong-listed Kye Annand.
The talented big man was cited by the VFL Match Review Panel for an incident with Casey Demons veteran Jack Billings in the Cats’ win last Friday but accepted a fine with an early guilty plea.
However, Rory Phillips will be sidelined with a hamstring injury.
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