Newtown & Chilwell have maintained their unbeaten start to the season, going 5-0 for the first time since 2023, following a workmanlike 24-point win over Bell Park at Hi Sushi Oval.
In front of a big crowd gathered for the annual Zoe Kennedy Foundation gameday, the Eagles limited the Dragons to just three goals after quarter time to record an 11.8 (74) to 6.14 (50) result, and sit second behind only reigning premier St Mary’s.
“I thought the things that we wanted to come in and focus on, our players delivered in spades,” coach Steve Johnson told K rock Football.
“I thought around the contest, it was pretty hot, and we competed really hard, and I thought, when we didn’t win the contest, and Bell Park got their hands on the footy, we pressured and forced them to kick it back to us a lot of the time. That was one of the biggest focus areas.
“And then the other thing was our forwards making sure they drive our defence, make sure that obviously pressuring the ball on the exits, but equally emptying out and making sure we can get layers behind the footy to win it back.
“I thought, if we had played the way we played last week – no disrespect to Leopold – I reckon Bell Park would have beaten us,
“But I was really happy with the performance, and everyone contributed to the win today.”
Among the key contributors for the Towners was no-frills defender Alex Dunn, who was given the job of curbing the influence of Bell Park’s Jack Sarcevic.
With the help of defensive pillars Braden Hocking, Oscar Murdoch, and co-captain Luke Maddock, Dunn limited the star Dragon to two goals.
“What he does every week, he’s probably one of the underrated players in the competition,” Johnson said.
“And if you saw him walk down Pakington Street, you wouldn’t realise that this bloke’s a gun GFL footballer.
“I thought he did a really good job on Sarcevic, who’s a very good player.
“But, equally, it wasn’t just the job. He actually intercept-marked quite a few balls coming in our defensive 50, and he always uses the ball well by foot.”
Veteran Liam Nash kicked three goals to take his season tally to 13 from four outings, while Kyabram recruit Nick Jephson, who finished the day with ice on his shoulder, and Logan Morey each managed two majors.
Morey was stiff not to be paid what would have been tough to top as mark of the year after climbing high on the Calvert Street wing early in the contest.
Dragons coach James Saker was left to rue his team’s inability to make the most of the stiff northerly breeze in the second quarter after they had kicked three goals into the wind during the opening quarter to hold a surprise lead at the first change.
“In terms of our willingness and aspiration to be a top three team, I think today we showed we’re a little bit off that with our ball movement against good pressure,” he said.
“That’s not saying anything outrageously new, but we thought large parts of our game were okay today.
“Probably mostly in the second quarter, it was just really frustrating that we weren’t able to use our outnumber to work our way up the ground and be a bit more dangerous.
“That was probably the game, that 15 minutes in the second quarter.”
Tom Pearson and Fred Lucas were named best for the Parkers, who face the up-and-down St Joseph’s next week.
The Eagles return home for a meeting with Geelong West.
Grovedale has played party-pooper, spoiling the 200-game celebrations of Leopold great Marcus Thompson, recording its first victory over the Lions in four years with a thrilling six-point win at Memorial Park.
Leading by 25 points entering time-on in the final quarter, the Tigers had to hold off a late charge from the home team to secure a famous victory, 15.12 (102) to 14.12 (96).
Tom Gillett finished with three majors this time around, along with Brad Kreuger and Joe McCarthy.
Billy Clark, Darby Henderson, Harry Morphet, Mason Williams and Will Sheahan each kicked two goals for the Lions.
South Barwon dominated St Albans after half-time in recording a 66-point win at McDonald Reserve, 23.12 (150) to 11.18 (84).
The Swans led by 15 points at the main break, but kicked 13 goals to four from that point on, including ten goals in the final term.
Lachie Noble and Geelong VFL-listed young Zach Stevens each kicked four goals for South.
Supersaints spearhead Tom Higgins kicked three goals on his return from suspension.
St Joseph’s made light work of Geelong West, dishing out a 91-point hiding at Plan Group Oval, 23.12 (150) to 8.11 (59).
In a match whose start was slightly delayed after Giants player Tristan Carson suffered a serious leg injury in the reserves, resulting in the curtain raiser being completed on nearby Walker Oval, Joeys held sway from start to finish.
Geelong VFL-listed Jack Jovanovic produced his second seven-goal haul of the season, while Giuseppe Posterino managed four majors.
Livewire Noah Allen was best for the Giants with three goals.
St Mary’s moved into top spot on the ladder after a percentage-boosting 200-point win over North Shore at Anthony Costa Oval.
The Saints’ percentage jumped 78 per cent with the 32.24 (216) to 2.4 (16) result.
Lachy Peck and Jack Willson kicked five goals apiece for the reigning premier.
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