Bell Post Hill has marked a major milestone for one of its best-ever players with an important 10-point win over fellow finals contender Bannockburn at Myers Reserve.
Coach Ash Witney says the 250th appearance of six-time premiership player Tim Barton provided plenty of motivation to overcome the Tigers and stay in the hunt for a top five berth.
“You probably don’t need any motivation when finals are on the line,” Witney said.
“But I said to the boys prior to the game, ‘If you are looking for something, you need to dig a little bit deep; Timmy’s been doing it for years since he’s played juniors here. A lot of premierships. He’s put his body on the line, and if you need to find something, have a look over at him because he’s been doing it for 249 games’.
“He’s been huge for the club, and he deserves all the accolades that he got.”
Kicking to the Ballarat Road end, where only three goals had been kicked for the afternoon, and trailing by three points, Witney admits it was going to be tough for Bell Post Hill.
However, they were able to find four goals in the final term, including the last two of the contest.
“We probably lose a little bit of momentum in quarters, the heads drop a little bit, and the better sides get away from us.
“But the boys stuck it out and fought the game out.
Our skills were probably substandard, to be totally honest.
“Decision-making stuff was right, but our skills probably really let us down and kept them in the game a fair bit.
“Just to grind it out when things were going against us, it’s probably the most pleasing part.”
In his second match back from a shoulder injury, the talented Dylan Godwin had a massive influence on the contest.
“He was huge,” Witney said. “We probably let the shackles off.
“He’s come back last week, and then we put him straight in the middle this week.
“There’s no saving anything anymore; we’ve got to go for everything; we’ve got to win every game.
“He had a heap of it and was really good around stoppage and clearance.”
The move of youngster Zane Jones into the middle in the final term was also crucial.
“He hasn’t played much midfield, but we threw him in the middle in the last quarter.
“We just wanted a bit of pace around the contest and in that second phase of stoppage, and he provided that.”
Sam Quinn and Henry Verschuren, who returned to the team, were also important, while Nick Costello was the leading forward on the ground, finishing with four goals.
The Panthers travel down the hill next week to face reigning premier North Geelong at Keith Barclay Oval.
Josh Norman and Jordan Flaccavento should return, Banjo Hickey will likely exit the concussion protocol, and Felix Jones will come under consideration after two appearances in the reserves.
Brodie Harding and Fletcher Wilson kicked two goals apiece for Bannockburn, with Alex Beardsell and Tanner Sadler the Tigers’ best.
They face East Geelong in a run of three consecutive home matches to finish the home-and-away season.
SCOREBOARD – ROUND 15
Winchelsea (2nd, 12-3) took another giant step towards its first finals appearance in 12 years after holding off East Geelong (4th, 10-5) by 11 points at Auswide Plumbing & Civil Oval.
The 10.11 (71) to 9.6 (60) victory was the Blues’ first on the Eagles’ turf since 2018.
It also marked a ninth consecutive Winchelsea victory since joining the competition in 2002.
Captain Jordan Huff, Fin Parish and early-season addition Ryan Williams were standouts for the Blues.
Cam Primmer kicked three goals to take his season tally to 62.
Jude and Bailey Payne were named best for East, with Caleb Ezard kicking four goals.
Werribee Centrals (1st, 12-3) survived a first-half challenge from lowly Thomson (10th, 3-12) to end a three-match losing streak and narrowly reclaim top spot on the ladder with a 20-point victory at Galvin Park.
The Centurions trailed a Tigers team featuring former GWS and Essendon star Devon Smith by as much as 21 points in the second quarter.
However, a 6.7 to 3.2 third term turned the contest in Centrals’ favour as they ran out 11.23 (89) to 10.9 (69) winners.
Captain Michael Culliver and midfield running mate Aaron Stone were standouts for the Centurions.
Jordan Camm was again the standout for the Tigers, and is a certainty to be part of the GDFNL Team of the Year.
North Geelong (3rd, 11-4) held off a second-half fightback from Belmont Lions (5th, 10-5) to claim a crucial 15-point win at Winter Reserve.
The reigning premier led the Lions by 40 points at halftime, before the home team fought back to cut the margin to 18 points at three-quarter time.
However, despite the Lions having three more scoring shots in the final term, the Magpies held on for a 15.15 (105) to 13.12 (90) result.
Cooper Vaughan and Jordan Bertucci each kicked four goals for North, while Osca Riccardi, who has re-signed with the club for 2027, marked his return from injury with three majors.
Andy Wylie, who kicked a team-high four goals, Lachie Slorach and Dylon Johnston were named best for the Lions.
Inverleigh (7th, 9-6) topped 150 points for the second straight week in handing Anakie (9th, 3-12) a 119-point hiding at Fortis Foundations Oval.
The Hawks claimed their fourth consecutive win, 25.19 (169) to 7.8 (50), to pull within a game of the top five.
Mason Dickson kicked six goals to keep alive his Wayne Tyquin Medal hopes, while Nathan Mayes kicked five, and Jarod Bacon and Jarvis Miles each kicked four.
Four goals from Luke Dahlhaus were a rare bright spot for the Roos.
A seven-goal haul from Hayden Burns highlighted an 89-point Corio (11th, 2-13) victory over Geelong West (12th, 0-15), which is likely to consign the Giants to the wooden spoon.
The Devils got the jump on the visitors at All In One Services Oval, kicking six goals to none in the first term.
West fought back with four goals in the second quarter to cut the margin to 19 points at the main break.
However, Corio slammed on 15 goals to four in the second half to register a 22.14 (146) to 8.9 (57) result.
It was the Devils’ highest score and biggest win since beating the Giants by 60 points in Round 8, 2024.
Matt Jelenic was also impressive, finishing with three goals for Corio.
Stuart Goddard kicked four goals for West.
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