Pressure was the key word as Corio produced the most stunning upset in our region in 2026 by beating finals-bound Winchelsea by 41 points at Shell Reserve.
The 11th-placed Devils overcame a slow start, in which they conceded the first four goals of the contest as the Blues made the most of the northerly breeze to claim their third victory of the season, 18.9 (117) to 10.16 (76).
Corio’s win has major implications in the battle for the minor premiership and direct entry into a second semi-final.
Many expected Winchelsea, who sat less than one per cent behind ladder leader Werribee Centrals, heading into the weekend to snatch top spot, with the Devils and the winless Geelong West their final two opponents.
However, the Blues are now likely to start their first finals campaign from out of a qualifying final.
“The boys brought the pressure for the whole game,” co-coach Adam Bell said.
“There was a bit of a wind going one way, so we chucked a spare down there to limit their goals.
“And then the boys just got to work. They just really brought the pressure.
“Our forward pressure was unbelievable, and our midfielders really got on top.”
Bell, who, along with co-coach Ross Gemmil, will finish in the role next week after only one season in charge, says Corio heeded their message for its final home game.
“We’ve played some good footy this year; we just haven’t put together four quarters,” Bell said
“I think when it gets to the end of the year, you just get out there, have some fun, take some risks, and that’s what we did.”
Despite being without leading goalkicker Herschelle Carr, Corio didn’t struggle to find options inside forward 50.
Jay Blackney kicked a career-high four goals, while Hayden Burns and Cooper Shoebridge each contributed three.
“It was a good little mix down in that forward line,” Bell said.
“It was good to see them all get some rewards, especially Jay. He worked so hard up and down the ground.”
Midfielders Mikali Harrison and Jack Evans, the latter who was opposed to Winchelsea gun Cassidy Parsh, were also important in a Corio performance that would have warmed the heart of incoming coach Shane Manning.
“Hopefully, we can go out to Bannockburn next week and get another win and challenge them, and that takes in some good mental stuff for the boys for next year,” Bell said.
The only positive out of the day for Winchelsea was the three goals kicked by Cam Primmer.
It’s put him one goal clear of Inverleigh’s Mason Dickson in the battle for the Tyquin Medal heading into the final round clash with Geelong West at Eastern Reserve.
Winchelsea’s shock loss has put Werribee Centrals (1st, 14-3) in the box seat to claim the minor premiership following a thrilling three-point win over Bell Post Hill (6th, 10-7) at Myers Reserve.
After the Panthers closed the margin to two points early in the final term, the Centurions pulled away to a 15-point advantage.
However, the home team ensured a tight finish with consecutive goals of their own.
In the end, Centrals held on for a 9.8 (62) to 9.5 (59) win.
Victory next week over East Geelong will secure the Centurions the minor premiership for the first time since 2010.
Even a loss could be enough unless the Blues make up the percentage difference.
East Geelong (4th, 11-6) locked away another finals berth under Ned Aulsebrook after a strong defensive effort and an impressive Caleb Ezard performance against North Geelong (3rd, 12-5) at Richmond Crescent.
Ezard finished with six goals, while the Magpies managed just three, as the Eagles posted a 74-point victory, 14.13 (97) to 3.5 (23).
East would snatch the double chance if it can beat Werribee Centrals and North Geelong loses to Inverleigh.
Bannockburn (7th, 10-7) put paid to the finals hopes of archrivals Inverleigh (8th, 9-8), and at the same time kept alive its finals’ hopes, following a 22-point win at Victoria Park, 9.21 (75) to 7.11 (53).
Despite their horrible inaccuracy, which included kicking 1.12 across the second and third quarters, the Tigers were able to do enough to stay within four points of the top five heading into the final round.
To snatch fifth spot, Bannockburn needs a big win over Corio and have Bell Post Hill beat Belmont Lions by enough to reduce the Lions’ percentage but not boost the Panthers by too much.
Belmont Lions (5th, 11-6) overcame an early challenge from Thomson (10th, 4-13) before running away with an 82-point win at Godfrey Street, 18.16 (124) to 6.6 (42),
The victory earned the Lions some valuable percentage ahead of their final round meeting with Bell Post Hill.
The Lions are a game and five per cent clear of the Panthers.
It means – unless Bannockburn mauls Corio next week – a loss of up to around 30 points against Bell Post Hill would still be enough for a third consecutive finals appearance.
Anakie (9th, 5-13) climbed a spot on the ladder after overcoming Geelong West (12th, 0-17) by seven points in a low-scoring affair at Scaada Stadium, 6.18 (54) to 6.11 (47).
The Giants kicked the only two goals of the last quarter to give themselves a chance at victory but ran out of time.
It was as close as the home team had been to victory all year, with Stuart Goddard kicking three goals.
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