It’s a win that has told the rest of the competition that Bell Post Hill can’t be discounted from GDFNL premiership calculations.
However, coach Ash Witney is more concerned that Saturday’s 52-point victory over North Geelong at Keith Barclay Oval has provided a reminder to his players that they’re contenders.
The Panthers, thanks to Anakie’s shock loss to Corio, sit two games clear of the Roos and Inverleigh after posting a 17.13 (115) to 8.15 (53) victory.
“It’s not really about telling others,” Witney said.
“It’s probably just telling ourselves, (and) building a little bit of trust within ourselves.
“The Anakie game, we were really disappointed in our effort and our attack on the footy and attack on the opposition; we really let ourselves down.
“So, we had a big review after that game. And it’s more just about ourselves, not about telling the other sides.
“It’s more about just being able to trust in each other as a group.”
Bell Post Hill’s score was the first time North Geelong had conceded more than 100 points for the season.
However, Witney was more pleased with his team’s defensive efforts.
“It wasn’t so much the offensive stuff that pleased me yesterday; it was more the defensive stuff, the pressure and defending the ground,” he said.
“It was probably the best we’ve done it for four quarters.”
With Tim Barton, Daniel Banister and GDFNL representative Will Kerrins sidelined, Witney turned to club great Beau McNamara to fill the void in defence after three games in the reserves.
And, not surprisingly, the five-time premiership star didn’t let him down.
“He was really, really good yesterday,” Witney said. “All the boys after the game said, ‘Gee, it’s good to have him back there’.
“He just does the right things at the right time. He’s cool and calm under pressure, and just doesn’t get beaten one-on-one.”
Zane Jones followed up his three goals against Bannockburn last week with a season-high four goals, with Dylan Godwin and Dyl Witney also important.
Bell Post Hill will enjoy the first weekend of the split round off before hosting Werribee Centrals on July 19.
Jacsen Jewell and Jordy Purcell each kicked two goals for North Geelong, who have suffered three losses in four games since the King’s Birthday break.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Magpies, who will also have next week off before facing flag fancies East Geelong at Richmond Crescent.
An Andrew Steele goal with less than 15 seconds remaining has capped an East Geelong comeback to snatch a heart-stopping one-point win over Bannockburn at Victoria Park.
The Newcomb recruit calmly slotted a set shot from a tight angle around 35m out to give the Eagles their first lead since quarter time.
East appeared headed for their third loss of the season when they trailed by 25 points early in the final quarter before kicking five of the last six goals of the contest to claim a 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84) victory.
Zac Smith kicked three goals for the Eagles to take his season tally to 47, while Steele, Caleb Lowndes and Mitch Wright each contributed two.
Rob Maibaum returned to contribute three goals for the Tigers, with youngster Darcy Giddings and captain Connor Jervies their best.
Corio has snapped a 10-game losing streak, and at the same time put a massive dent in the finals hopes of Anakie after a thrilling two-point victory at Anakie Reserve, 11.21 (87) to 12.13 (85).
Winless since beating the Roos in the opening round of the season, and missing playing coach Joel Bennett, the Devils snatched the four points after coming from 15 points down midway through the final term, with five consecutive behinds enough to cause an upset.
Captain Toby Bennett and the experienced Nathan Kenyon were crucial for Corio, with Herschelle Carr finishing with four goals and Hayden Burns contributing three.
League-leading goalkicker Andrew Boseley and fellow former South Barwon star Jay Lever each kicked four majors for Anakie, which went into the clash without the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Josh Mawson.
Belmont Lions maintained its one-game buffer on top of the ladder after holding off Werribee Centrals by 20 points at Galvin Park.
In a contest marred by inaccuracy, the Lions’ six-goal-to-nil third quarter proved the difference in the 10.16 (76) to 7.14 (56) result.
Ben McPherson returned from missing the wins over Bannockburn and North Geelong to kick three goals for the Lions.
Fellow GDFNL representative Cam Saliba led the Centurions with three majors.
Anglesea recruit Jarod Bacon and star Dalton Grundell each kicked four goals as Inverleigh kept its finals hopes alive with a 35-point win over Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve, 18.7 (115) to 11.14 (80).
The Hawks jumped to a 34-point lead at quarter time before the Blues stormed back into the contest to cut the margin to five points at the main break.
However, Inverleigh held the home team goalless in the third term, which proved crucial in the final result.
Cam Primmer kicked five goals in his best return for Winchelsea, while Inid Parish bounced back from being held goalless for the first time this season last week with four goals.
Thomson consolidated its spot inside the top five with a percentage-boosting 82-point win over Geelong West at Godfrey Street.
Noted defender Trav McGuire made the most of his opportunities in front of goal, finishing with four in the 15.23 (113) to 4.7 (31) victory.
Harry Fraser kicked two goals for the Giants, who conceded 100 points in a game for the first time in 2025.
X: @krockfootball
