Bannockburn has held its nerve to climb back into the GDFNL top five following a 12-point win over Anakie at Anakie Reserve.
The Tigers appeared safe when they led by 26 points 11 minutes into the final term.
However, a late surge by the Roos in front of a vocal home crowd celebrating the club’s 100th anniversary pulled them to within a goal.
Bannockburn’s Josh Kunjka had the final say, with his fourth goal of the afternoon enough for a 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) victory.
“It’s probably been a similar trait for most of the year,” coach Ron Pilgrim said.
“We have patches where we dominate the play and don’t score, and then we turn the footy over and give the opposition a chance to score back.
“That happened again a bit today, where we had our moments, (and) Anakie had theirs.
“We got out to nearly 30 points in front and made a couple of skill errors.
“We let them back in, but I was really proud that when it got tight towards the end, they got within a goal, and our senior guys slowed the game down and got it back on our terms.”
Pilgrim revealed the significance of the day for Anakie was mentioned before the match.
“That was actually the first part of my pre-game (address),” he said.
“When you go anywhere and there’s a big day for a club, it’s all about your mindset and how you want to start the game.
“There was a massive crowd today, and I thought we started quite well.”
While Kunjka finished with a game-high four goals, it was Rob Maibaum (three goals) who drew the plaudits of his coach.
“Robbie was outstanding today,” Pilgrim said.
“We played him across the half-forward line today, and he delivered.
“He took a lot of marks and kicked goals. And then we threw him back in the middle when we needed to.”
Injuries to Bailey Alford (knee) and Harry Lear (ankle), which left Bannockburn two players down for much of the second half, were the only downside for the winners.
Jake Long kicked three goals for Anakie, with midfield duo Brad Gerrard and Luke Dahlhaus the Roos’ best.
Dan Freeman and Darcy Troop combined for 11 goals as Thomson returned to the winners’ list with a 73-point hiding of Winchelsea at Godfrey Street.
The Tigers led by 18 points at half-time before ending the match as a contest with a 9.5 to 2.0 third term.
Freeman kicked six goals, Troop contributed five, and best-on-ground Ben Kamaric finished with three in the 19.14 (128) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Fin Kirsopp-Cole and Cam Primmer kicked two goals apiece for a disappointing Blues’ outfit.
North Geelong maintained its unbeaten start to the season following a scrappy 11-point win over Geelong West.
Keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s opening round loss that eventually cost the Magpies a finals berth, Peter Riccardi’s men got some early separation to lead the Giants by 17 points at quarter time.
From then on, no team kicked more than three goals in a quarter, with North holding on for an 8.12 (60) to 7.7 (49) result.
John Fazio, Blake Miller and Cooper Vaughan each kicked two goals for the Magpies.
In the absence of Brayden Mitchell, Alex Blair played a lone hand up forward with a second five-goal haul in three weeks.
Werribee Centrals opened its 2025 account with a 37-point win over Corio at Shell Reserve, 18.12 (120) to 13.5 (83).
After a tight opening quarter, where the visitors held a five-point lead, they took control of the contest with a nine-goal-to-one second quarter that put the contest to bed.
To the Devils’ credit, thanks to a ten-goal haul from the talented Herschelle Carr, they outscored the Centurions in the second half.
Coach Rhyce Prismall, Cam Saliba, and Brad Carlton each kicked three goals for Centrals.
Belmont Lions joined North Geelong in remaining unbeaten after overcoming Inverleigh by 34 points at Inverleigh Reserve, 18.9 (117) to 12.11 (83).
The Lions led at every change, with a 7.2 to 4.1 final term ensuring they improved their win-loss record to 5-0.
Jesse Stapleton stood out for the Lions, finishing with four goals, with Dave Van Allitt and James Beasley also impressing.
Mason Dickson, Logan Haberfield and Josh Viney managed two goals for the Hawks.
A consistent East Geelong made light work of Bell Post Hill at Richmond Crescent, cruising to a 66-point win.
The Eagles remained at the head of the pack chasing the Belmont Lions and North Geelong with a 15.12 (102) to 5.6 (36) victory.
Modewarre recruit Jeremy Ollis, captain John McIntyre and Will Hough (three goals) were standouts for East.
Veteran forward Nick Costello kicked three goals for the Panthers.
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