East Geelong coach Ned Aulsebrook has hailed his team’s backline after it kept Corio to just five goals in a 37-point win at Richmond Crescent.
The 10.15 (75) to 5.8 (38) victory consolidated the Eagles’ spot inside the GDFNL top five, leaving them just one game behind unbeaten ladder leaders Belmont Lions after five rounds.
“We had to grind a win out,” Aulsebrook said. “It’s nice to know we can win in different ways.
“And we ran the game out pretty well yesterday, which is really good.
“It’s the first time in a few weeks we didn’t have any changes from Thursday night.
“I think the midfield did a great job against some quality opposition, the backs were awesome, and the forwards’ pressure was brilliant.
“We’ve got to get some goalkicking practice.”
Despite registering just one win through the season’s opening month, Corio had been averaging 91.5 points per game.
However, the Eagles never allowed the likes of Herschelle Carr and Destyn Burns, who had kicked multiple goals in each of the first four rounds, enough latitude.
“Our backline was unbelievable. It was well and truly their lowest score (of the season),” Aulsebrook said.
“Our backs have taken a bit of pride in keeping sides to a low score.
“I was sitting next to Jack Beardsell and Jayden (McLauchlan) last night and they were looking at the ladder, and they looked straight at the points against.
“They’ve got a bit of a chip on their shoulder for that, which is great.”
Leopold recruit Jack Dickson returned after missing the previous week’s win over North Geelong and was a standout for East.
“He’s playing across half-back at the moment; (we’re) just trying to keep him where he’s comfortable until if we need him somewhere else,” Aulsebrook said.
“He was brilliant – he was comfortably our best player.”
Austin Mulvahil took the outright lead on the league goalkicking table with two goals taking him to 18 for the season, one clear of Devil Herschelle Carr.
Zac Smith and the returning Billy Andrew also kicked two.
Matt Jelenic was best for Corio along with Jackson Doyle and Toby Bennett.
Bannockburn has overcome a five-point three-quarter time deficit to consolidate its spot inside the top five with a 15-point win over a plucky North Geelong at Keith Barclay Oval.
The Tigers slammed on six goals to three in the final term for a 14.11 (95) to 12.8 (80) victory.
Bailey Kelly kicked three goals, and fellow Leopold recruit Rob Maibaum was outstanding for Ron Pilgrim’s men.
Mitch Habib and John Fazio almost dragged the Magpies over the line with four goals apiece, with Patrick Cleary again impressive.
Werribee Centrals marked its first home game of the season with a narrow 10-point win over Winchelsea.
The Centurions, who were unable to play at Galvin Park while multi-million dollar upgrade works to its facility were completed, held off the Blues, 13.15 (93) to 11.17 (83).
Josh McDonald was best in front of goal for Centrals with three majors.
Big man Paddy Daley and prolific midfielder Michael Culliver were also influential.
Fin Parish and Fin Kirsopp-Cole (three goals) were the best for the Blues, whose four losses have been by 11 points or less.
Belmont Lions have overcome an early challenge from Anakie to record a fifth-straight win for the first time in nearly nine years.
The Lions led by five points at quarter time at Winter Reserve before using a 7.1 to 2.2 second quarter as the platform for an 18.8 (116) to 11.12 (78) victory.
Brad Michell was outstanding with four goals in a best-on-ground display for the Lions.
Oscar Barter kicked three goals for the Roos, while former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd scored two in his second appearance for the club.
In a battle of two injury-ravaged clubs, Geelong West has returned to the winners’ list for the first time since Round 1, beating Bell Post Hill by 48 points at Myers Reserve.
The Giants opened up a 23-point lead at quarter time and never looked back on their way to a 15.11 (101) to 8.5 (53) victory.
Portland recruit Jackson Dunlop kicked four goals for West, with Eugene Stanciu contributing three majors in his first senior game for the club since 2014.
Harvey Martin and Harry McIntyre managed two goals for the Panthers.
Thomson has held off a slow-starting Inverleigh for a narrow seven-point win in the grand final re-match at Inverleigh Reserve, 10.8 (68) to 8.13 (61)
The Tigers led by 38 points at halftime before stopping to a walk, with the Hawks pulling to within a point late in the contest.
Big man Jordan Camm and Billie Smedts were Thomson’s best, with Jed Hanneysee’s three goals vital.
Adam Donohue booted five goals for the reigning premier, who are 1-4.
Captain Jack Fiolet again worked tirelessly for the Hawks.
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