Winchelsea coach Ben Moloney has hailed the maturity of his players as they took another step towards a first finals appearance in 12 years with a thrilling two-point win over the Belmont Lions at Winter Reserve.
After snapping Werribee Centrals’ 11-match winning streak to start the season the previous week, the Blues held off a late charge from the home team to record their second win of the season against the Lions, 12.8 (80) to 11.12 (78)
A goal from Belmont Lions veteran Ben Evans with 25 seconds remaining cut the margin to two points, with Winchelsea repelling one last forward foray to hold on for their 10th victory of the season.
“The wind was howling one way,” Moloney said of the breeze that was favouring the Kidman Avenue end of the ground.
“We made the most of it in the third quarter and piled some goals on. Then we had to just defend as much as we could.
“It was really difficult because one clearance and you’re inside 30m from Belmont’s goal.
“We did a few things and put the guys behind the ball, and they just evened it up, and then it ended up just being a contested game for the last 10 minutes.
“If you got a clean clearance, it was a potential goal for them.
“My heart rate monitor on my watch was going off every few minutes… I was definitely nervous.”
With Cam Primmer stealing the limelight in recent weeks to take the lead in the Wayne Tyquin Medal, fellow forward Jordan Gould reminded everyone of his talent with an equal season-best of five goals, and Moloney likened his role to that of a St Kilda great.
“He’s up the ground stuff’s been unbelievable; a bit of a Nick Riewoldt type, we reference him as, and he gets up the ground.
“He was covering 14kms a couple of weeks ago. On a smaller deck, he might not have got as many
“But his work rate’s unreal. He gets to repeat contests and competes in the air, which gives your smalls an opportunity.
“And then off the back of that, Primmer’s the other tall who is benefiting off the back of the guys up the ground work.”
Winchelsea’s a game clear in second spot, but has four teams nipping at their heels with nine wins, and each with a superior percentage.
It’s the tightness of the competition that has Moloney looking no further than the rest of July, which features a home meeting with Bell Post Hill and a trip to Richmond Oval for a clash with East Geelong.
“We’ve split the year into blocks, and we’re into block three now, and we’re taking it a week at a time,” he said.
“We’ve still got some really tough games in front of us… every game is an eight-point game, which we talk about.”
Primmer’s three goals were ample support for Gould, taking his season tally to 55.
Fin Parish and Harry Nagle were also important. The only negative for the Lions was a minor knee concern for Aaron Cooke.
Evans finished with three goals in his first senior appearance since Round 6, while Chase Anderson contributed two majors.
Lachie Slorach and debutant Arch Darken were among the best for the Lions, who next face Bannockburn in next Sunday’s Reconciliation Day Game at Winter Reserve.
Bannockburn (7th, 8-5) quickly put the disappointment of last week’s loss to North Geelong behind it by upsetting ladder leader Werribee Centrals (1st, 11-2) by 22 points at Andrews & Co. Oval.
Leading by 11 points at three-quarter time, the Tigers outscored the Centurions 2.5 to 1.0 to register an important 10.14 (74) to 8.4 (52) victory.
Big man Rhys Ginn and Gold Coast-based midfielder Jayme Rekers were the standouts for Bannockburn.
Rekers, Tristan Battaglia and Brodie Harding each kicked two goals for the Tigers.
Kur Kur, Josh MacDonald and Cam Saliba contributed two majors apiece for Centrals, who were held to their lowest score of the season.
Veteran forward Nick Costello celebrated his 150th appearance for Bell Post Hill (3rd, 9-4) in fine style, kicking ten goals in a high-scoring 53-point win over Anakie (9th, 3-10) at AA Semi-Trailers Oval.
A week after breaking the club record for most senior goals, Costello delivered a vintage performance in the 22.13 (145) to 14.8 (92) result.
Josh Norman’s good form in front of goal continued, with four majors, while Cody Chircop and captain Jack Yates were also impressive.
Recruit Jack Sutherland kicked four goals, while Luke Dahlhaus contributed three majors in another standout display, for the Roos, who are officially out of finals contention.
Inverleigh (8th, 7-6) kept alive its slim finals hopes after holding off a fast-finishing Corio (11th, 1-12) for a seven-point win at All In One Services Oval, 15.13 (103) to 13.18 (96).
After trailing at halftime, the Hawks outscored the Devils in the third quarter, 5.4 to 2.1, to take a 19-point lead.
The home team threw everything at Inverleigh in the final term, kicking 4.8 to 3.2.
Mason Dickson finished with six goals for the Hawks in a best-on-ground performance, while Luke Wilson made a strong return seven weeks after suffering a ruptured urethra.
Matt Jelenic and Tom McMahon were best for Corio.
A seven-goal-to-one third quarter proved the difference as North Geelong (5th, 9-4) overcame a plucky Thomson (10th, 2-11) by 46 points at Godfrey Street.
The reigning premier kept alive its hopes of a double chance with a 16.16 (112) to 10.6 (66) victory.
Cooper Vaughan (four goals), Sam Reynolds and Charlie Farrell were best for the Magpies.
The outstanding season of Tigers captain Jordan Camm continued. He kicked four goals to take his season tally to 37.
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