Anakie finds itself inside the GDFNL top five entering the second half of the season for the first time this century after beating Bell Post Hill by 26 points at Anakie Reserve.
The Roos leapfrogged the Panthers into fourth spot with a 15.12 (102) to 11.10 (76) victory, their first over the visitors since 2008, snapping a 23-game losing streak.
Anakie’s third consecutive win gives rise to hope that a 27-year finals drought can be snapped.
However, coach Jayke Mawson, who is close to re-signing for 2026, says the Roos were quick to turn their attention to meeting with finals-bound East Geelong next week.
“The hard work that we’ve been putting in is starting to really show out on the field,” Mawson said.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been in the top five at the halfway mark.
“The message was just to really keep the foot down and keep working, get recovery in and get ready for a big game next week against East.”
Anakie started the better, opening up a 14-point lead at quarter time, which was extended to 30 points by half-time.
A four-goal-to-two third quarter put the contest out of Bell Post Hill’s reach, with the Panthers’ six-goal final term adding some respectability to the margin.
GDFNL representative Oscar Barter kicked four goals, while league-leading goalkicker Andrew Boseley and Josh Alessi each contributed three.
Sean Sim was also impressive, but it was an unheralded trio that Mawson was quick to praise.
“The guys that were on the fringe or not playing their best footy; Mitchy Gavin, Blayne Sharp, Billy Goodwin,” he said.
“The lesser lights that you don’t really give credit to, they really stepped up.”
Sharp was omitted from the team on Thursday night, but when Matt Dettman withdrew due to illness, Mawson brought him back into the side.
“They’re the sort of stories that probably helped us today; the guys that sort of feel that pinch of selection, that really stood up,” Mawson said.
Fighting for a spot in our best 22, which is why we went and got depth, is a good problem to have.
Dettman should return for next week’s meeting with East Geelong along with Josh and Jesse Mawson, Jake Long and Jayden Davey.
“There’ll be a few tough calls to be made,” Mawson said.
“We’ll see how they get through training on Thursday.”
Nick Costello, Andrew Casey, Felix Jones and Luke Mann each kicked two goals for the Panthers, whose best were Liam Meyrich and Caleb Bacely.
They next face Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve.
Anybody daring to write off Thomson in its chase for consecutive premierships was reminded not to be too hasty after Paul Lynch’s men ended the unbeaten start to the season of North Geelong with a thrilling one-point win at Godfrey Street.
After a slow start, the Tigers held off a late charge by the ladder-leading Magpies to win 12.9 (81) to 11.14 (80).
Thomson appeared home when Jordy Camm goaled at the 24-minute mark.
Goals to Magpies duo Mitch Habib and John Fazio pulled the margin back to one point, with the visitors making a late push to steal the contest.
Darcy Troop kicked four goals for the Tigers, with Dylan Jose contributing three majors and featuring in the best, along with ruck Andrew Jarvis and midfielder Billie Smedts.
Fazio finished with three goals for North, with Habib and Osca Riccardi each kicking two.
Belmont Lions moved back to within percentage of top spot after outlasting Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve by 20 points.
The Lions could never pull away from the Blues, with 22 points the most significant lead of the afternoon in the 11.10 (76) to 8.8 (56) result.
Ben Evans followed up his five goals before the bye with another four majors in a best-on-ground performance.
Captain Jordan Huff and forward Indi Parish each kicked two goals for the Blues.
Former Winchelsea captain Alex Gubbins was forced from the ground with a knee injury.
Werribee Centrals has finished the better to beat Bannockburn by 17 points in the King of the Highway battle at Victoria Park to pull to within a game of the top five.
The Centurions, who went into the clash without playing coach Rhyce Prismall, led by a point at the final change but kicked away with a 4.7 to 2.3 final term to claim a 15.17 (107) to 13.12 (90) victory.
Kai Gomes Pattiyage and interleague duo Cam Saliba and Regan Vesty each kicked three goals for the winners, with Liam Robinson and Michael Culliver also impressing.
Bailey Kelly kicked four goals for the Tigers to take his season tally to 21, and he was among their best along with veteran duo Connor Jervies and Aaron Seller.
East Geelong consolidated third spot on the ladder with a 49-point win over Geelong West at West Oval.
The Eagles led by 12 points at three-quarter time, but kicked 5.7, while keeping the Giants scoreless in the final term to post a 12.14 (86) to 5.7 (37) victory.
Andrew Steele kicked four goals for the winners, with Zac Smith contributing three to move to 38 goals for the season.
Nick Butters kicked two goals for West.
Scott Condy kicked six goals and Guy O’Keefe contributed five as an accurate Inverleigh recorded a percentage-boosting 100-point win over Corio at Shell Reserve.
A nine-goal-to-two opening quarter set the tone for the Hawks’ 26.8 (164) to 9.10 (64).
Big man Luke Wilson was also impressive for Inverleigh.
Playing coach Joel Bennett made a surprise return from a back injury to kick two goals, along with Hayden Burns and Brock Cervenka.
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