Anakie has claimed the win that stamps them as genuine GDFNL finals contenders after holding off a late charge from the previously unbeaten Belmont Lions to claim a 17-point victory.
In an entertaining clash in ideal conditions at Winter Reserve, featuring two key forwards engaged in a shootout, the Roos improved to a 4-4 win-loss record with the 15.19 (109) to 14.9 (92) result.
It was the first time Anakie walked off Winter Reserve with the four points since Round 4, 2014, and had the Roos faithful headed for the club’s 100th anniversary celebration dinner tonight dreaming of featuring at St Albans for the first time since 1998.
“Our best is good enough – well and truly good enough, and the results show that,” coach Jayke Mawson said.
“We’ve had a lot that haven’t gone our way; we’ve had three losses by two goals or less, so it’s good to get one on Belmont’s home deck where we played four quarters of footy and really started to believe.
“I think the growth in the team is massively there. But, I think, also when you come from where we’ve come from, it’s all about believing in what you can do.
“I think they’re starting to do that.”
Anakie started the better, with league-leading goalkicker Andrew Boseley proving a handful for a short-handed Belmont Lions defence, which went into the contest without Barwon Heads recruit Lachie Slorach and lost Corey Jarrard to a knee injury before half-time.
The former South Barwon star finished with an equal-season best seven goals, but he missed some gettable opportunities late that denied him a chance to finish with double figures.
Mawson was full of praise for Boseley’s performance, but also quick to pay tribute to the midfield, led by Luke Dahlhaus, Josh Mawson, and Brad Gerrard.
“Bose’s performance was unbelievable – he’s on fire at the moment,” Mawson said.
“Our midfield’s very strong – we think it’s up there with one of the best in the comp.
“We said if we can get forward exits out of the stoppage, we can get it long to him and let him do his thing.
“We knew with their ruckman (Noah Houtsma), they were going to be a little bit smaller down there.”
After trailing by as much as 34 points during time-on of the third quarter, the Lions cut the margin to six points when Bradley Michell goaled from a free kick 18 minutes into the final term.
However, co-coach Andy Walsgott concedes they would have pinched four points if they’d been in front at the final siren.
“It probably wouldn’t have been a fair result if we’d gotten that back,” he said. “But, it certainly gave us a chance.
“We’ve got a lot to work on, and I’ve been saying that for a little while now, that we’ve got plenty to still work on, and they highlighted a few of those things today.”
Ben Evans’ performance up forward was one of the reasons the Lions remained in the contest.
In his first senior appearance since Round 3 after returning from overseas, he finished with five goals and took one of the marks of the year with a high-flying effort during the last quarter.
Walsgott says they are fearing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for Jarrad.
Following the bye, Anakie returns home for a mouth-watering match-up with fellow finals aspirants Bell Post Hill.
The Lions will start as favourites against a struggling Winchelsea.
Inverleigh honoured the memory of late trainer Peter Lomas with a crucial 28-point win over Thomson at Inverleigh Reserve.
Leading by three points at half-time, a 4.3 to 1.1 third quarter proved the difference in the 12.14 (86) to 7.16 (58) result.
Veteran David Peel kicked three goals to be named the Hawks’ best, while big man Mason Dickson, returning recruit Guy O’Keefe, and young forward Noah Sneskov each finished with two.
Billie Smedts returned from injury to kick two goals for the Tigers and was among their best, along with Jamie Bach and Josh Camm.
North Geelong continued its best start to a season since 2002 after holding off Bannockburn by 21 points at Keith Barclay Oval.
The inaccurate Magpies led by just seven points when Tiger Fletcher Wilson goaled 12 minutes into the final term.
However, consecutive goals to Tom Schwennesen, John Fazio, and Osca Riccardi were enough for North to claim a 10.16 (76) to 8.7 (55) victory.
In his return from a knee injury, Blake Miller finished with three goals for the winners, whose best included Jacsen Jewell and Rory Desnoy.
Wilson and Brodie Harding each kicked two goals for Bannockburn.
Bell Post Hill unveiled the David Wall Wing and then continued on its winning ways with a 43-point victory over Geelong West at Myers Reserve.
After an even first quarter, where the Panthers led by just three points, they outscored the Giants eight goals to two to claim an 11.13 (79) to 5.6 (36) result.
Veteran forward Nick Costello’s impressive form continued, with four goals taking him to 20 for the season, with fellow premiership players Caleb Bacely and Liam Meyrich also impressing.
Josh Dwyer and Matt Sondergeld were named West’s best.
East Geelong forward Zac Smith moved to within one goal of Andrew Boseley in the race for the Wayne Tyquin Medal after an 11-goal haul in a 130-point hiding of Corio at Richmond Crescent, 21.25 (151) to 3.3 (21).
After taking a seven-point lead into quarter time, a Smith-led Eagles put the foot to the floor with an eight-goal second quarter, of which Smith kicked five.
Lara recruit Galen Munari, and Sam Lowe were also standouts for East.
Brock Cervenka kicked two goals for the Devils, and captain Toby Bennett was again their best.
Werribee Centrals maintained touch with the top five after a percentage-boosting 85-point win over Winchelsea at Galvin Park, 21.20 (146) to 9.7 (61).
After trailing by two points at quarter time, the Centurions turned the contest on its head with a 7.5 to 0.1 second quarter.
Cam Saliba and Brandon Houlihan each kicked four goals for Centrals, while Indi Parish and Cam Primmer finished with three apiece for the battling Blues.
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