In front of large crowd of player players celebrating the anniversary of five premierships, Modewarre has outlasted Queenscliff to record its first win under new coach Mark Hovey.
The inaccuarte Warriors trailed by eight points at three-quarter, but produced a seven-goal-to-two final term to snatch an 11.16 (82) to 8.12 (60) victory.
Hovey had a number of Modewarre greats speak to the players prior to the game, including 93-year-old Ron Anderson, who was part of the club’s 1954 premiership.
However, he said it wasn’t about motivating the Warriors after two losses to start the season, rather giving his players a sense of the club’s history.
“I love history and tradition with any footy club,” Hovey said.
“For a 93-year-old to speak about his experiences and still hold the footy club so close to his heart, I reckon it’s pretty inspiring.
“I love that stuff. And it wasn’t so much to fire them up; it was just for them to understand what the footy club means to a lot of people through their time.”
Providing his own inspriation was Hovey’s son Josh, who suffered a broken finger early in the contest and played through the pain.
The younger Hovey not only provided a target up forward and good support for ruck Zac May, he also kicked the goal in the last quarter that gave Modewarre the lead.
He will have surgery this week on a broken finger and miss between 4-6 weeks.
“He’s played through some discomfort from time to time, and he can be a bit inspiring with the way he plays,” Hovey Senior said.
“He’s not the most skillful – he’ll be the first to put his hand up and say that.
“But, I’m always proud of his effort, and I think the guys like playing with him, and last night he stood up.
“I was happy for him to sit out when it was getting a bit too painful, but he just wanted to go back out there to do what he can to help.”
Hovey also praised the performance of Nat Matthews across half-back.
With Morgan Fenton a late withdrawal after his partner gave birth to twin boys on Friday night, Matthews led a “solid” back six.
“And we put ‘Finchy’ (Josh Finch) inside,” Hovey said.
“We’ve been playing him across half-back, and he was great.
“The forwards battled a bit from time to time, but they just worked their way through the game.
“I think we had a fair bit of control of the game, but we just couldn’t score.”
Connor Joseph finished with three goals for the Warriors and Tom Hornsey two.
Jonty Rush was Queenscliff’s best forward, finishing with four goals. Captain Caleb Whitley and Lachie Kidd also worked hard.
BFNL: SCOREBOARD, LADDER, LEADING GOALKICKERS
2023 grand finalist Drysdale produced an impressive 56-point win over Anglesea can climb into the top-five for the first time this year.
After a tight first half, in which the Hawks led by nine points, they scored 13 goals to five after the main break for an impressive 20.10 (130) to 11.8 (74) result at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
In his highly-anticipated first outing for Drysdale, Grovedale recruit Cam Delaney didn’t disappoint in kicking four goals.
Youngster Joel Watson also kicked four goals, while Tom Ruggles contributed three.
Defender Luke Preece’s impressive start to the season continued, with ruck Matt Pigott also influential.
Flinn Chisolm and Luke Breust picked up the slack in the midfield left by the absence of Ben Fennell.
Lewis Beers and Lachie Smith kicked two goals apiece for the Roos. Smith and Will Batson were the visitors’ best.
Barwon Heads overcame a strong challenge from an inaccurate Newcomb before running away with a 36-point win at Howard Harmer Oval.
In co-coach Mitch Herbison’s 150th game, Seagulls survived a final-quarter push from the Power before steadying for a 17.10 (112) to 10.16 (76) victory.
Having never previously kicked more than two goals in a senior game for Barwon Heads, Geelong Falcon Cooper Ward finished with five majors in a match-winning performance.
“He’s pretty special,” co-coach Sam Schaller,” We got a glimpse of it last year.”
“He’s super fit, got great goal sense and great forward craft.
“He could have had seven or eight, but he gave a couple away.”
Archie Hildebrandt was also lively with three goals, while midfielder Ryley Stuhldreier and reigning Ash medallist Luke Davis were also important for the Seagulls.
Newcomb forward Jake Duke claimed the outright lead on the league goalkicking table, with another three majors taking him to 13 for the season.
Mason Andrews and star defender Tom Webster also kept the Power competitive.
Patrick Hughes has produced another performance that will have Geelong VFL selectors take notice, kicking six goals to spearhead Torquay to a 16.19 (115) to 8.9 (57) victory over Ocean Grove at George McCartney Oval.
After a tight opening term, the reigning premier broke the contest open with a five-goal-to-none second term.
Matt Boag finished with three goals for the Tigers, with Max Hurley and Billy Henderson also in good form.
Jacob Talarico kicked three goals for the Grubbers, who were best served by Josh Lange and vice-captain Tom Chalkley.
Off-season acquisition Paddy Dowling and young gun Tom Gorell combined for nine goals as Geelong Amateur snapped the unbeaten start to 2024 of Portarlington with a 99-point win at KFC Oval.
Dowling finished with five majors and Gorell contributed four in the 21.16 (142) to 6.7 (43) victory for Ammos, who were without midfield star Tom Gribble.
Steve Heppel, Teia Miles, and Kelly Pickard each kicked two goals for the Demons, who were without Connor Menadue, Jarryd Cachia, James Goetz, Mitch Turnbull and Daniel Riosa.
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