Geelong Amateur co-coach Riley Kershaw has labelled Saturday’s 54-point win over Torquay “our best of the year” as last year’s grand finalists head into their first bye with a 5-2 win-loss record.
Leading by just four points approaching time-on during the second quarter, following consecutive goals from the visitors’ Banjo Dyer and Tynan Smith, late majors from Nick Beekmans and Jai Sheahan helped the Pegs to a 17-point advantage at half-time.
However, it was the third quarter where Geelong Amateur flexed its muscle, banging on seven goals to none to open up a 57-point buffer before recording a 19.10 (124) to 10.10 (70) result.
Co-coach Sam Lloyd kicked two of his six goals for the afternoon in the opening stages of the term to spark his team.
“We probably haven’t strung too many quarters like that together to get to this point,” Kershaw said.
“It’s definitely our best win for the year.
“Nothing against other opposition, but we probably just haven’t been able to capitalise and actually put the foot on the throat of some of the other sides just yet.
“And we’ve always got a good rivalry with Torquay, so there’s a little bit of that as well.”
Lloyd was well supported by fellow veteran Mitch Day, who contributed three goals and was named the Pegs’ best.
“He played a bit of a different role,” Kershaw said “He played a little bit more lead up and up the ground.
“A bloke that’s getting older, he’s getting younger by the looks of it when he’s out there at times.
“He was really good.”
Despite the presence of Travis Boak, Ammos went head-to-head with the stacked Tigers midfield.
“We had a couple of contingency plans in place just in case,” Kershaw said.
“Not to say that Boak wasn’t going well out there, but I think they’re sort of not a team that beats you with any individual players, so you’ve got to beat them with systems.
“Boak, whilst he was pretty smart and he’s a class above, we had to back our guys in, and I think that they played pretty well as a result.”
Former Richmond ruck Andrew Browne returned for Ammos and was part of a key battle with Tigers’ big man Spencer Meagher.
Meagher featured in Torquay’s best players, along with Weylin Doyle and Will Montebello. Dyer finished with three goals.
The Tigers have another away game in Round 8, facing Barwon Heads at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval.
A stunning debut from former Melbourne and West Coast speedster Jayden Hunt hasn’t been enough, as a late charge from Drysdale fell just short of causing an upset against Newcomb.
The Hawks trailed by 45 points at three-quarter time, before Hunt imposed himself on the contest, kicking four final-term goals to help cut the margin to eight points on two occasions.
However, the Power was able to steady to win by 14 points, 15.16 (106) to 14.8 (92).
Hunt finished with seven majors in a best-on-ground performance, which drew praise from Newcomb coach Tony Mirabella.
“It has to be one of the better ex-AFL player performances I’ve seen first up,” he said.
Co-captain Dion Johnstone returned from suspension to kick four goals for the Power, as did Josh Saltalamacchia.
A career day from Ayden Gras was the highlight as Anglesea put Surf Coast to the sword with a 151-point result at Ellimatta Reserve.
The star spearhead kicked ten goals for the first time as a Roo in the 31.16 (202) to 8.3 (51) victory, passing 100 goals for Anglesea in the process.
Josh Jaska was also impressive in his return, finishing with four goals.
Veteran forwards Aaron Black and Scott Hughes each kicked two goals for the Suns, as did Mitch Wright.
Barwon Heads has maintained its perfect record at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval in beating Modewarre by 13 points, 17.12 (114) and 15.11 (101).
The Seagulls, who have heavily front-ended home schedule ahead of a significant facility upgrade, are now 5-0 at home.
Mitch Jensen was the most prolific of Barwon Heads’ 11 individual goalkickers, finishing with three.
Tom Hornsey led the Warriors’ attack with four goals, while Connor Joseph managed three majors.
Queenscliff maintained top spot with a comfortable 92-point win over Ocean Grove at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval.
Forward duo Izaac Grant and Jordan Monahan were the standouts in front of goal, finishing with four goals apiece in the 19.15 (129) to 5.7 (37) result.
Harry Cashin was the only multiple goalkicker for the Grubbers, contributing two majors.
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