Newcomb has produced one of the more stunning wins of the Bellarine season to take a giant leap towards its first finals series in 19 years after handing Barwon Heads a 102-point hiding at PlasterCom Oval.
The Power climbed into fourth spot on the ladder with one round of the home-and-away season remaining with the 19.19 (133) to 4.7 (31) victory – their first over the Seagulls since 2007.
Despite the win putting Newcomb (9-8, 119.19%) a game clear of sixth-placed Anglesea (8-9, 112.15%), a significant loss to Torquay next week and a big Roos win over Modewarre could see the Power watching on come the last weekend of August.
It’s a scenario not lost on coach Tony Mirabella.
“There was a very clear conversation in the rooms after the game,” he said.
“Embrace the moment that we’re still alive, but alive only means so much when in a week’s time we’ve got another job to do.
“So, in our eyes, we just need to make sure that we go down to Torquay with only one thing in mind.”
Mirabella rated the performance as Newcomb’s best since he took the coaching role in the middle of the 2023 season.
“We’ve had some really meaningful victories over the years, and I think I’ve been quoted a few times saying it’d be great when we get to the point that the beating top side doesn’t become an enormous story,” he said.
“But it definitely is the one that rates up there purely because situationally we needed to win, backs against the wall; I’d say that most footy people in Geelong would have thought that Barwon Heads would come here and get the job done.
“But internally we knew that we would be able to stand up to the occasion, and I’d have to say it’s probably the number one (win) now and because it’s been so long between drinks for a win against Barwon Heads.
“It was also great to have um the likes of (premiership captain) Adrian Saltalamacchia and five or six other past players who were a part of that (2000s) era that were here today and who would have been super proud.”
Tom Webster and Jack Duke both kicked five goals for Newcomb, while raging Ash Medal favourite Logan Wagener was again at his blistering best in the Power midfield.
The experienced Richie Hollins was a late withdrawal but is expected to return for the clash with the Tigers.
Barwon Heads, which was belted by Geelong Amateur by 96 points last week, has dropped to fifth spot.
However, the Seagulls only need to beat the struggling Ocean Grove next week to feature in the elimination final.
A late goal from talented youngster Flynn Chirgwin has given Drysdale a thrilling finish to its home-and-away season, with the Hawks snatching a one-point victory from Anglesea at Mortimer Oval.
The Hawks led the reigning premier by as much as 16 points during the final quarter before the visitors kicked three consecutive goals to snatch the lead.
However, Chirgwin had the final say in the fiery clash, which was marred by an all-in brawl at halftime, as Drysdale claimed a famous win 13.10 (88) to 12.15 (87).
Ben Fennell and Jake Hargreaves each kicked three goals for the Hawks, who farewelled Tim Delaney and Jack Jenkins in style.
Ayden Gras bagged five goals for the Roos, who dropped to sixth spot with the loss and now need to beat Modewarre in the final round to have any chance of keeping their premiership defence alive.
Geelong Amateur (2nd, 14-3) all but put an end to the finals hopes of Portarlington (7th, 8-9) following a 42-point win at KFC Oval.
The Ammos maintained their flawless record on their own turf against the Demons, 12.16 (88) to 6.10 (40).
Sam Lloyd’s hope of kicking 100 goals in a season remains alive after the Pegs’ co-coach slammed home seven goals to take his season tally to 87.
At the other end, playing coach Sam Scott managed three goals for Portarlington, which needs to upset Queenscliff in the final round and have other results go their way to snap a 32-year finals drought.
Torquay (3rd, 13-4) was made to work for its 45-point win over Modewarre (9th, 5-12) at Community Bank Oval.
The Tigers trailed the Warriors by four points at halftime before kicking 10 goals to four to record a 16.17 (113) to 12.6 (78) victory.
In his first senior appearance since Round 13, Max Hurley kicked four goals, while Tynan Smith contributed three majors.
Ollie Buter, Damon Hemphill, Tom Hornsey and Scott Morter each kicked two goals for Modewarre.
Surf Coast (11th, 2-15) posted the second win of its maiden campaign, pulling away late to beat Ocean Grove (10th, 3-14) by 20 points at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval.
The 16.7 (103) to 12.11 (83) victory snapped a 14-match losing streak for the Suns.
Aaron Black and Tim Lee each kicked three goals for Surf Coast, whose best player was one-time Grubbers’ best-and-fairest Luke Cartelli.
Lorne Waldron kicked three goals for the Grubbers to take his season tally to 34.
Queenscliff (1st, 13-4) had the bye and will face Portarlington in next week’s final round clash at Portarlington.
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