Leopold has snapped the 16-match winning streak of reigning premier St Mary’s in emphatic fashion, and it was a former Saint who did most of the damage.
In his first appearance since suffering a lacerated liver during the Lions’ loss to Grovedale in Round 6, Jay Dahlhaus made a stunning return.
Playing as a permanent forward, the Werribee VFL premiership player kicked six goals, as Leopold kept alive its finals hopes with a 63-point win at Memorial Park, 20.5 (125) to 9.8 (62).
As well as Dahlhaus, the Lions welcomed back premiership quartet Marcus Thompson, Riley Stone, Jett Matthews, and captain Mitch Burgess, while Mason Williams was released to play by Geelong VFL.
“It was definitely our strongest team for the year,” coach Sam Hughes said.
“The young boys, knowing that they had some of that experience coming in, I think that just gave them a bit of reassurance.
“It just showed in the way that we played and the composure that we had with ball in hand.
“The way the boys executed in offence and defence, and just around the contest, was what we had planned for
“I think the experience certainly helped, but the boys have still got to play, and they’ve still got to try and execute what we’re putting out there.”
After an even first quarter, from which Leopold emerged with a four-point lead, the home team made its move in the second term, kicking six goals to two, with Dahlhaus contributing three to the Lions’ tally.
“He was deep forward most of the first half,” Hughes said.
“He’d come up around the footy a little bit just to get into the game throughout the third (quarter) and a little bit of the last, and then he went back deep backend of the last.
“He had a bit of a license to get up the ground if he wanted to, and get involved if he felt like he wasn’t having as much impact as he wanted,
“But he certainly had a lot of impact in the forward 50
”For him as well to come back after six weeks off and the injury that it was, I think it was just a huge confidence booster for him.”
While Dahlhaus was the standout performer, Thompson and classy midfielder Tate Porter were also important, while the dynamic Harry Morphet contributed three goals.
Leopold will return after the league-wide bye with winnable matches against St Albans and Geelong, in which it will hope to go ahead of the win-loss ledger, before what loom as mini elimination finals against Colac and Bell Park.
Hughes says, despite being two matches adrift of the fifth-placed Dragons, he is confident the Lions can make a return to September action after missing out last year.
“The dream’s not over,” he said. “The goal is to try and hunt for that top five position,
“It’s in our hands if we want to be able to get there, and we control that.
“We can’t rely on other teams to lose or upsets to take place
“If we just keep putting forward performances like yesterday and performances like we have in this front half of the year, I think we’ll challenge, those teams around that. sort of fringe and early into that top five.”
For St Mary’s, which went into the clash without star forwards Sam Bourke and Paddy Dowling, Charlie Vallelonga, Nick Dowling and Fletcher Hughes each kicked two goals.
The Saints, who hold an eight-point buffer on Newtown & Chilwell and South Barwon, face the Swans for the second time in just over a month following the bye.
A late goal from running defender Mitch Diamond has helped Newtown & Chilwell (2nd, 8-2) snatch a two-point victory against Colac (6th, 6-5) at Elderslie Reserve, 12.10 (82) to 12.8 (80)
Trailing by four points at the 30-minute mark, Diamond’s second goal gave the Towners the lead for only the second time in the contest after trailing by as much as 34 points during the third quarter.
Co-captain Ned Harris continued his impressive form in the Newtown & Chilwell midfield and cannot be discounted from winning consecutive Mathieson medals.
Jesse Colville and Oscar Murdoch were also important in keeping the Eagles in the contest.
Josh Garner kicked three goals for Colac, including one to put the visitors 19 points clear early in the final term.
The experienced Kody Spokes and youngster Micah Robb were named best for the Tigers, who sit a game outside the top five.
St Joseph’s (4th, 8-3) has narrowly escaped from Burdoo Reserve with the four points, holding off a plucky Grovedale (8th, 4-7) by two points, 11.11 (77) to 10.15 (75).
Joeys appeared to have done enough when they held a 16-point lead midway through the final term.
However, two goals from the Tigers made for some nervous moments for the visitors.
Jack Jovanovic kicked four goals for St Joseph’s to take his season tally to 41, with talented youngster Giuseppe Posterino contributing three majors.
Released by Geelong VFL for his second appearance in yellow and black this year, Nathan Kreuger almost stole the game for Grovedale with a four-goal performance.
Bell Park (5th, 7-4) climbed back into the top five after making light work of Geelong West (10th, 2-9) by 90 points.
Jack Sarcevic was the standout in the forward line for the Dragons, finishing with five goals in the 17.17 (119) to 3.11 (29) result.
Fraser Marris, Tyler Norton, and reigning joint Mathieson medallist Jett Bermingham also impressed.
Charlie Hall and Tom Handley battled hard for the overwhelmed Giants.
Captain Matt Caldow’s 11 goals were the highlight as South Barwon (3rd, 8-3) mauled North Shore (11th, 0-11) by 161 points at McDonald Reserve.
Lachie Noble was also lively with five majors, while Beechworth recruit Degan Dolny contributed three goals on debut.
Nic Creighton and Lachie Hayes were named the Seagulls’ best.
St Albans (9th, 2-8) had the bye.
X: @krockfootball
