Winchelsea coach Ben Moloney has praised how his players handled the occasion of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations after beating reigning premier North Geelong by 58 points at Eastern Reserve.
Resplendent in a heritage guernsey of navy blue and white hoops with a maroon band, the Blues started strong and held off a third-quarter fightback from the Magpies to grab their eighth win of the season, 17.20 (122) to 10.4 (64).
“We definitely touched on the occasion, and just about how significant it was for the group,” Moloney said.
“But before we ran out, I made sure that I reminded the players that we had a job to do.
“The main thing is that we just needed to play our brand of footy, stick to our systems and get the four points, and don’t get too caught up in the moment, but make sure you’re aware of the significance of the jumper and all that.
“I think the boys did the jumper pretty proud.”
Winchelsea jumped to an 18-point lead after a six-goal-to-one opening quarter, and despite kicking an inaccurate 2.8 in the second term, extended its buffer to 32 points at the main break.
As expected, North Geelong made its move during the third quarter, with three consecutive goals cutting the margin to 17 points at the 22-minute mark.
However, the Blues were able to kick three majors in the last five minutes of the term to take a match-high 37-point advantage into the final change.
In front of a vocal home crowd, featuring many of the greats to have worn the famous navy blue guernsey, Winchelsea kicked into celebration mode, kicking five goals to the visitors’ two to claim second spot on the ladder.
Moloney says the way they responded to North’s fightback was a further sign of the group’s maturity.
“A lot of our guys, I think, with the last few years and probably how things have gone, really appreciate still being able to enjoy the day and ensure that they still have fun,” Moloney said.
“But when it’s time to lock in, we make a big point of that we’re locked in and ready to go.
“We have a pretty tight schedule where everything’s relatively set, and they know when that time comes, when they start to warm up, we’re on.
“I think it’s definitely a maturity thing. We brought in some more senior experience; ‘Gouldy’ (Jordan Gould) coming back as well.
“I probably put a bit more pressure on our leaders to do more and probably stand up a bit more, and I think they’ve done a really good job this year.”
Fin Parish was a standout for the Blues; captain Jordan Huff, Jack Sampi, and ruck Jack Terrill contributed all afternoon, and Cam Primmer’s four goals were also important.
Winchelsea now turns its attention to meeting with the unbeaten Werribee Centrals, who beat the Blues in Round 1, at Galvin Park next week.
“Round 1, we gave them six goals in the first quarter and then lost by 19 points, so we definitely think we’re able to beat them,” Moloney said.
“But, Werribee at Werribee is a tough task, but our guys will certainly come prepared.
For North Geelong, which tumbled from second to sixth as other results went against them, midfielder Rory Desnoy battled hard, while Cooper Vaughan finished with four goals.
The Magpies will look to bounce back against Bannockburn when it hosts the fifth-placed Tigers at Keith Barclay Oval.
Belmont Lions (3rd, 8-3) spoiled the 100th anniversary celebrations of Geelong West (12th, 0-11) and the 300th – and final – club game of departing former coach Scott Frangos at Scaada Stadium.
After narrowly trailing the Giants, who were playing in a heritage guernsey in a nod to their past as the Cheetahs, at quarter time, the visitors clicked into gear.
The Lions outscored West 15 goals to four for the rest of the contest to claim a 17.14 (116) to 7.5 (47) result.
Christian Farchione’s impressive first season with the Lions continued, while Ben McPherson kicked five goals.
Justin Carey finished with three goals, while Frangos snuck forward to kick a farewell major.
Werribee Centrals (1st, 11-0) has narrowly held onto its perfect 2026 record, overcoming a tenacious Anakie (9th, 3-8) by four points at Anakie Reserve, 11.10 (76) to 11.6 (72).
The Roos appeared set to claim a famous Past Players’ Day win when they led by two points early in time-on of the last quarter.
However, the Centurions kicked two consecutive goals to lead by ten points.
Anakie kicked the goal of the contest but ran out of time to find the match-winner.
Kur Kur kicked three goals for Centrals, whose best against included captain Michael Culliver.
Brad Gerrard was again a standout for the Roos, who got two goals apiece from Jackson Francese-Fulton, Jack Sutherland, and St Kilda VFL player Jayden Davey.
East Geelong (4th, 7-4) climbed back into the top-five, and at the same time put a dent in the finals hopes of Inverleigh (8th, 5-6) following a 26-point victory at Fortis Foundations Oval.
The Eagles led by 11 points at the final change but outscored the Hawks 3.4 to 1.1 in the final term to claim a 13.13 (91) to 9.11 (65) result.
Caleb Ezard kicked three goals to be among the best for East, along with defender Jayden Fannong and ruck Matt Kasparian.
Midfielder Boe Collins and key forward Mason Dickson (four goals) for Inverleigh, which lost star recruit Ethan Floyd during the third quarter to what is feared to be a serious knee injury.
Bell Post Hill (7th, 7-4) had to battle hard for three quarters before pulling away from Corio (11th, 1-10) in the final term for a 68-point win, 20.14 (134) to 10.6 (66) at All In One Services Oval.
The Panthers led by 26 points at the final change before piling on eight goals to one in the last term.
Veteran Nick Costello and Jordan Flaccavento, who was playing his first senior match since Round 1, each kicked five goals for the visitors.
Big man Brock Carter and reigning Neville Whitely medallist Jack Yates also impressed.
David Waldron’s four goals were part of another standout performance for the Devils.
Bannockburn (5th 7-4) has climbed back into the top five following a percentage boosting 93-point win over a struggling Thomson (10th, 2-9) at Godfrey Street.
The Country Tigers were in control of their City counterparts from the opening bounce in romping to a 26.11 (167) to 11.8 (74) result.
Rob Maibuam kicked five goals for Bannockburn, with Sam Giles, Henry Hawker, and Bailey Kelly each contributing four majors.
Max Piasente’s three goals were best for Thomson.
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