Bell Park coach James Saker believes his team’s execution going inside forward 50 will need to be better if it’s to end St Joseph’s unbeaten start to the season.
Before handing the undermanned North Shore a 160-point hiding last week, the Dragons suffered narrow losses to Newtown & Chilwell by 11 points and Colac by 13 points.
They were narrowly beaten in the inside 50m count (49-47) to the Towners but were smashed 51-38 by the Tigers.
“In both games that we’ve lost, we’ve had ample opportunity to kick a winning score,” Saker said.
“Just our execution going inside 50 has been poor.
“Our guys have just got to own their moments and execute under pressure.”
Clearances in the absence of injured captain Lachie Patten (groin) and gun young ruckman Ollie Bridgwater (broken leg), who remain sidelined, have also been a concern.
The Dragons were well beaten 46-29 by Colac and 49-33 by Newtown & Chilwell.
“We’ve just got to be a bit smarter about what we’re trying to do in there,” Saker said.
“Probably try and break even a bit more than we have been because we think our back six or seven’s been really strong.
“And if we can be a bit more neutral out of the contest, then it gives us a much better chance.”
St Joseph’s has strung together 21 consecutive home-and-away wins since the start of last season and last lost at home in Round 15, 2023.
“They do make the ground pretty big,” Saker said.
“Even though it is such a small ground, they’re very well-structured and drilled as to how they move the footy from the contest.
“So, yeah, we’re going to have to be on our game there.
“I watched a little bit of their game last week against South Barwon. It was such a fierce contest, so we’re going to have to be up for that first and foremost.
“And then when we get our chances, hopefully execute a bit better than we have been in the games we’ve lost.”
Bell Park was unable to consider its Geelong VFL-listed talent despite the Cats having the bye.
However, experienced defender Steve Benstead, Eli Pearce, and Tom Pearson, who will make his first appearance since being concussed in the Opening Round clash with Colac, have been named.
They replace Henry Mansfield, Ned Payne, and Jackson Gorman.
Former Grovedale forward Mitch Chafer will make his first appearance for St Joseph’s among five changes made by Ron Watt.
Paddy De Grandi will also play his first GFNL match of the season after featuring with Geelong VFL before suffering a lower leg injury.
Jack Leonard, Finn McCombe and Ben Clark have also been named in an extended squad.
However, they have lost Jack Mullen (hamstring) and Angus Humphrey (ankle) to injury, while captain Al Hickey is unavailable, ruck Ed McCoy is being managed, and Cooper Ward has been omitted.
Liam Kershaw is an emergency for Werribee.
South Barwon will be without gun defender Jack Driver for a handful of games, starting with tomorrow night’s meeting with Colac at Central Reserve.
Driver is overseas until after the bye later this month.
The Swans have made three changes, with Max Mawson and Austin Shepherd dropped from the team that suffered an 11th consecutive Anzac Day loss to St Joseph’s.
Former vice-captain Joel Hogan will play his first senior match after spending the past two seasons in Perth.
Dustin Burns has been recalled from the reserves, and Tom Bartlett has been promoted.
Playing coach Seb Ross, reigning GFNL leading goalkicker Adam Garner, experienced defender Jarryn McCormack, and talisman Darcy Lang are among the inclusions for the Tigers.
Classy Leopold midfielder Luke Justin is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering a serious groin injury in last week’s win over Colac.
He’s been replaced for the meeting with North Shore at Windsor Park by Brock Williamson, who made his Geelong VFL debut last week.
Scott Brackley, who made his senior debut late in 2024, is among the inclusions for the Seagulls.
St Mary’s will feature two debutants when it meets Lara at Lara Recreation Reserve.
Junior products Henry Cook and Harry Segrave replace Trent McMullan (managed) and Nick Dowling (unavailable).
The Cats have made two changes, welcoming back defender Majok Bol and promoting Riley Evans.
They replace Nick Beekmans and Sam Hoffman.
After being a late withdrawal from the loss to Grovedale, former North Melbourne player Majak Daw will return via the reserves.
Grovedale has missed out on having Nathan Kreuger for its winnable meeting with St Albans at Burdoo Reserve.
Geelong VFL listed Kreuger, who played AFL with the Cats and Collingwood, is being talked about as a potential mid-season draft selection.
The Supersaints have included Dylon Johnston as the replacement for Miles Gray.
Newtown & Chilwell has lost star mid Ned Harris (finger) and Noah Tullio (ankle) for its crucial clash with Geelong West at West Oval.
The Eagles have dropped Edan Ibbetson and Jesse Colville.
Jett Modola, Jedd Coburn, Jaxon Bruhn, and Finn Laffy are the replacements.
The Giants look set to be unchanged from the team that held off St Albans by seven points last week.
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