South Barwon has snapped its 13-year Anzac Day drought in emphatic fashion, handing St Joseph’s a 104-point hiding at Plan Group Oval.
The Swans entered the clash with their now-traditional April 25 rival, having lost 11 consecutive matches on our country’s most sacred day and only taken the points off Joeys twice in their past 23 meetings since 2014.
However, the 22.15 (147) to 6.8 (45) scoreline provided the highest score and the biggest win since the Anzac Day match-up between the clubs started in 2008.
South Barwon ruck Ben Kellett won the Anzac Day Medal as best-on-ground, while captain Matt Caldow kicked five goals and joint 2023 Mathieson medallist Fraser Fort finished with four majors.
The Swans opened up a 23-point lead by quarter time and were never threatened, aside from a three-goal burst from last year’s grand finalists during the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Geelong West has claimed its first win under new coach Chris Browne, beating St Albans by 13 points at Scaada Stadium.
The Giants led by 38 points at half-time and 24 points at three-quarter time, holding off a final-term challenge from the Supersaints to win 16.13 (109) to 14.12 (96).
The round concludes tomorrow, with reigning premier St Mary’s hosting Bell Park at 1:10pm, and Leopold and Colac doing battle at Memorial Park from 2:10pm.
In the Bellarine league, Portarlington has beaten Drysdale for the first time in eight years, with the 12.21 (93) to 4.10 (34) victory giving Sam Scott his first win as coach of the club.
The Demons held the Hawks to their lowest score in match-ups between the two clubs since the league’s formation in 1971, to climb off the bottom of the ladder
It was also Portarlington’s first home win against Drysdale since 2015.
The Hawks are 0-4 for the first time since 1981, a year the club went winless.
For the Demons, Scott kicked two goals, as did Teia Miles.
Newcomb and Ocean Grove will face off in a twilight clash at Plastercom Oval, which bounces at 5:00pm
Tomorrow, Anglesea and Torquay clash at Ellimatta Reserve, and Surf Coast welcomes Queenscliff to Summertime Pools Oval.
Both matches start at 2:10pm.
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