Barwon Heads has farewelled Howard Harmer Oval for 2026 in the appropriate fashion, overcoming a gallant Ocean Grove by 47 points in the first Battle of the Bridge of the season.
In their last home game before a major redevelopment of the venue’s off-field facilities, which will see them play away from home in the second half of the season, the Seagulls had to withstand a second-quarter challenge from the Grubbers that cut the margin to nine points at the main break.
However, Barwon Heads clicked into gear in the second half despite the greasy conditions, outscoring their archrivals eight goals to two to claim a 14.13 (97) to 7.8 (50) result.
It was the Seagulls’ ninth consecutive win over the Grubbers dating back to 2021.
Co-coach Sam Schaller admits he was “furious” at halftime, after watching a 34-point lead whittled away.
“I wasn’t happy, especially after that start; (we) played really well,” Schaller told K rock Football.
“(We) had the emphasis to take territory, because it was obviously wet, slippery, our ground’s pretty shifty at the best of times, which we did really well.
“And then I think we thought the game was won, so we tried to play a little bit like millionaires after that.
“(We) let the boys know about that at halftime and, yeah, really pleased with the response.”
Geelong Falcons-listed Lachie Blacket was impressive in defence, but it was the class of Cooper Ward, Jake Whybrow and Mitch Jensen in front of goal that proved the difference.
All three kicked goals that belied the greasy conditions, with Ward contributing four majors, and Whybrow and Jensen three apiece.
Each of Jensen’s goals was greeted by a boombox on the outer side of the ground playing John Denver’s classic ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’.
“With the front-ended home schedule, we just wanted to make it a bit of a fortress, which we sort of touched on pretty much every time that we played,” Schaller said.
“After that Anglesea or Queenscliff game, one of the boys had the idea with the under-18 guys to get in some goal songs for some guys, and just generate the energy from that.
“It’s been really good, to be honest. And then they wheel it over after the game, and they’re in the rooms before we’re in there.
“And it’s just a good connection piece, too, with our under-18 guys.”
Ocean Grove co-coach Dave Farrell couldn’t question his players’ commitment in the less-than-ideal conditions.
However, he admitted to a level of frustration that the young Grubbers were able to take it up to Barwon Heads but couldn’t do it for longer.
“The feeling that shone through with both the players and staff post-game was that had we not been able to match it with a quality side like Barwon Heads at the moment, or, I thought, dictate terms to them for a big part of that second quarter, you might walk away not too frustrated,” he told K rock Football.
“But to be able to do it is awfully frustrating at the moment. We think we’re really close, and we’re showing it for patches, but we just need to find some consistency.”
In his first game for the club since the final round of 2024, talented youngster Darcy Harrington showed the class that has him in the Vic Country squad for the under-18 National Championships and in contention for this year’s AFL draft.
Young defenders Hugo Walsh and Finlay Rolfs also impressed.
Lorne Waldron kicked two second-quarter goals, but the conditions didn’t allow him or fellow key forward James Paterson to have any real influence on the match.
Ocean Grove will chase its fourth win of the season when it travels to Anglesea next week.
Barwon Heads’ two months away from home starts at Portarlington. The Seagulls might be without Luca Vella, who didn’t reappear after halftime due to a back issue.
Newcomb gave its hopes of a first finals appearance in 19 years a major boost after upsetting Torquay by 14 points at PlasterCom Oval.
Held to two goals in the opening two quarters, the Power trailed by 25 points at halftime.
But in an impressive defensive display, they kept the Tigers to just two behinds in the second half, recording an 8.10 (58) to 6.8 (44) result that maintains their one-game break on sixth-placed Anglesea.
Logan Wagener produced another performance in the Newcomb that has him in Ash Medal calculations, while key defender Finn Anscombe and livewire forward Jacob Watson (three goals) also impressed.
Tom Diamond and Tynan Smith were best for the Tigers, who dropped out of the top three for the first time this season.
Anglesea held off a fast-finishing Modewarre by 11 points at Community Bank Oval, 11.10 (76) to 10.11 (71) to stay within a game of the top five.
The reigning premier could never shake the plucky Warriors, who got as close as 10 points after trailing by as much as 35 during the third quarter.
Alex Braaksma, who was omitted on Thursday night, earned a reprieve and kicked two goals for the ‘Seas, while Scott Morter and Jordan Motton finished with two apiece for the Warriors.
Queenscliff extended its winning run to five, returning from the bye to comfortably beat Portarlington by 56 points at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
The 12.22 (94) to 5.8 (38) victory maintained the Coutas’ one-game buffer at the top of the ladder as they chase their first minor premiership since last winning the flag in 2013.
Izaac Grant kicked three goals for Queenscliff, whose best was again Sam Kalbfell.
Kalan Dart finished with two majors for the Demons.
The potent combination of Mitch Day and co-coach Sam Lloyd ensured Geelong Amateur celebrated its 100th anniversary match in style, with both kicking eight goals in a 117-point hiding of Surf Coast at KFC Oval.
The duo kicked eight goals apiece in the 24.13 (157) to 5.10 (40) victory, with Lloyd taking his season tally to 46 majors and extending his lead on Queenscliff duo Izaak Grant and Jordan Monahan in the ‘Chooka’ Piec Medal race to 14.
The Suns had five individual goalkickers.
Drysdale had the bye.
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