Bell Park has opened up a crucial break between itself and Colac in the race for a finals berth after holding off the Tigers for a 10-point win at Hi Sushi Oval.
The Dragons claimed their ninth win of the season, 14.10 (94) to 12.12 (84), to not only put an eight-point gap between themselves and Colac but also keep alive their chances of snatching the double chance.
Bell Park, which went into the clash without leading goalkicker Jack Sarcevic, absorbed plenty of Colac pressure during the final quarter.
However, three final quarter goals from big man Ollie Hicks, including two where he found himself alone in the goal square, proved vital.
“We think we’ve been building since halftime of the Colac game first time around,” coach James Saker told K rock Football.
“We think we’ve changed our season off the back of some pretty simple things, and our last five to six weeks have been really good.
“So internally there’s belief that we could get this done today.
“We didn’t really speak about finals or what it means in terms of the ladder, but we did want to prove to ourselves that in a really tough, contested environment, we could stand up and show our wares.
“So we did that, (and) it probably means we get a bit of a free swing next week against St Mary’s.
“But beyond that, it’s a pretty even comp this year, so we’re certainly not getting carried away.”
Colac kicked the opening two goals of the contest through Luke Hillman and Jack Fish before the time clock had ticked past two minutes, which concerned Saker.
However, the Dragons settled when Ollie Bridgewater kicked the first of three opening quarter goals, which helped the home team be within four points at the break.
“I think it showed really good character today that we’re able to persevere,” Saker said.
“It wasn’t perfect, but we persevered and slowly got the game back on our terms.
“I would have liked us to be a bit more clinical in the last quarter at times.
“But to play the way we did without it being perfect, and able to hit the scoreboard like we did in the second half with a few different avenues to goal, I’m really proud of the boys.
“We haven’t won too many that way in my time, so a nice little tick.
“I thought it was a pretty finals-like sort of environment.”
Hicks, Bridgewater, emerging defender Matt Jones and reigning Mathieson medallist Jett Bermingham were standouts for Bell Park.
A shoulder injury suffered early in the contest by Fred Lucas was the only lowlight for Bell Park.
In his first appearance since the last meeting with the Dragons, Colac talisman Darcy Lang kicked four goals, while Jack Fish and Luke Hillman each managed two majors.
Co-captain Adam Garner was used to good effect in key positions at both ends of the ground, while midfield duo Kody Spokes and Ethan Liddle did all they could to lift the Tigers over the line.
Despite the loss, co-coach Seb Ross, who remains sidelined with an Achilles issue, was remaining upbeat, despite next week’s meeting with Leopold shaping as an early elimination final.
“We’re giving ourselves opportunities, which is the most pleasing thing for us as coaches,” he said. “But, (we’re) just probably not finishing our work when we need to.
“And they’ve all been different games. Today, we were coming from behind, but the other three, we were in front at three-quarter time.
“Teams coming from behind are just playing with that freedom, and we’ve probably just tightened up a little bit, or we just haven’t been able to kick a goal here and there and just put a little bit more breathing room.
“But I think we’re playing bloody good footy.
“For us as coaches, it’s about keeping the players up and keeping them playing with that momentum and that belief because close losses can put you down a little bit.
“We can keep playing the way we’re playing, and we’ll see how we go. (There’s) still plenty of time.”
St Joseph’s (5th, 9-4) has overcome a raft of injuries to produce a season-defining eight-point win over archrival Newtown & Chilwell (3rd, 9-3) at Plan Group Oval.
Despite losing debutant Fletcher Pulleine to a broken leg, Hunter Lewis (broken wrist) and Jack Mullen (knee), Joeys rallied in front of a big crowd to claim an important 14.14 (98) to 14.6 (90) victory.
It has last year’s minor premier two games clear of sixth-placed Colac, but, importantly, equal on points with second-placed South Barwon.
League-leading goalkicker Jack Jovanovic kicked four goals for St Joseph’s, with co-captain Paddy De Grandi, who was named Joeys’ best, contributing three.
Jett Modola, one of five Eagles to kick two goals, was named the visitors’ best, along with the experienced Braden Hocking.
Leopold (7th, 7-6) has ensured next week’s trip to Colac will be a virtual elimination final after taking care of Geelong West (10th, 2-11) by 80 points at Memorial Park.
In front of a large crop of past players, the Lions outscored the Giants 16 goals to five after quarter time on their way to a 19.15 (129) to 7.7 (49) result.
Harry Morphet kicked a career-high five goals for Leopold, while best-on-ground Billy Clark and Darcy Brislane each finished with three majors.
Big man Mac Scoullar and forward Jay Kaltenbach, who finished with four goals, were the best for Geelong West.
Veteran Andrew Boseley wound back the clock with a five-goal haul as South Barwon (2nd, 9-4) outscored Grovedale (8th, 4-9) in every quarter to record a 19.7 (121) to 10.10 (70) victory at Burdoo Reserve.
Oscar Pollock also impressed, finishing with three goals.
Tom Gillett and Bradley Kreuger contributed three goals apiece for the Tigers.
St Albans (9th, 3-9) spearhead Tom Higgins has taken the lead on the GFNL goalkicking table after slamming home ten majors in a 120-point hiding of North Shore (11th, 0-13).
After a relatively even first half, the Supersaints slammed on 16 goals to three following the main break to record a 24.22 (166) to 7.4 (46) result.
Harrison Cockerell (four goals) was a reliable support act for Higgins.
Captain Jacob Sammut kicked two goals for the Seagulls, who were best served by Lachie Vivian and Nick Mitzithras.
St Mary’s (1st, 12-1) had the bye.
