In a season where numerous local football droughts have been broken across the region, another small one went by the wayside at Shell Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
For the first time since 2009, Corio claimed the four points against Bell Post Hill, with the Devils beating the Panthers by 42 points, 16.4 (100) to 8.10 (58), to open their 2024 account.
To put into context the length of the gap between Corio’s wins over their northern neighbours, Bell Post Hill was still a year away from winning the first of their seven premierships in eight seasons.
Devils co-coach Darren Bennett said he started to feel the drought would be broken early in the third quarter when the scoreboard began to reflect their dominance.
“I thought we were really good early; we just didn’t put a big enough gap in the game,” he said.
“I was pretty confident about ten minutes into the third quarter.
“I think yesterday was a really even contribution. Everyone got involved, and the boys knew they hadn’t taken opportunities early.
“We spoke about it at half-time, and they came out really did everything we asked.”
Whitley medallists Joel Bennett and Matt James – the latter playing against his former club – provided the midfield class for Corio.
However, it was Toby Bennett’s defensive efforts that drew praise from his coach father.
“I thought he was our best player by far,” Bennett said.
“He was a real rock down in the back half.”
In just his third senior game, Brock Cervenka kicked four goals.
“Brock’s coming along really well,” Bennett said. “He’s still got a long way to go.
“I play him in a role where he starts the quarter on the bench, but I get him in there when we see an opportunity.
“He’s taking all before him at the moment.”
Josh Norman and Jordan Flaccavento kicked two goals apiece for Bell Post Hill, with midfield duo Boe Collins and Dylan Godwin the Panthers’ best.
An injury-ravaged Thomson has produced an against-the-odds win over a fast-finishing Bannockburn at Victoria Park.
Leading by 45 points at half-time, Thomson survived a second-half charge by the home team to hang on for a four-point win, 14.12 (96) to 13.14 (92).
Jed Hanneysee kicked four goals, and Lucas Boyd contributed three majors to the Thomson cause.
Experienced defender Steve Salajan was a standout for the winners, who had an SOS answered by Leyton Thulborn by coach Paul Lynch to play his first game of the season.
Josh Kunjka scored three goals for Bannockburn, and former Leopold pair Fletcher Wilson and Rob Maibaum kicked two apiece.
Anakie has beaten Werribee Centrals for the first time since the opening round of the 2017 season, scoring its first win under new coach Jayke Mawson.
With former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd making his first of a handful of appearances for the Roos, they outscored the Centurions 3.8 to 1.2 in the final term to record a 12.16 (88) to 8.14 (62) victory.
Recruit Andrew Boseley, first-gamer Oscar Barter, and Elliot Birch each kicked three goals for Anakie.
Bryce Linehan-Cunningham was the only multiple goalkicker for Centrals, who were best served by Zech De Leon and Jack Stephenson.
East Geelong has claimed its second win of the season with a thrilling four-point win over Inverleigh at Inverleigh Reserve.
The Eagles jumped the Hawks and then held off a late charge from the home team to claim a 13.15 (93) to 13.11 (89).
Belmont Lions have made a rare 3-0 start to a season after using a strong start and an impressive finish to beat Geelong West at West Oval by 40 points, 15.14 (104) to 9.10 (64).
Ben Evans (four) and Jak Evans (three) combined for seven goals between them in the late afternoon meeting.
Corey Jarrad and Jakob Steel also impressed for the Lions, who remain the only unbeaten team in the GDFNL.
Matt Ianelli managed three goals, and Josh Viney kicked two to be among the Giants’ best, along with Tom Jenkins.
In the night match between Winchelsea and North Geelong at Eastern Reserve, the Magpies climbed into the top five with an 8.14 (62) to 7.9 (51) win.
It was the first time since Round 16, 2022, that the Magpies have won consecutive games.
X: @krockfootball
