Report rubs shine off O’Toole milestone
BARRY O’Toole’s 300th senior game was soured yesterday after the 38-year-old was reported for alleged abusive language toward an umpire.
After an indigenous GDFL ceremony and then a quiet first half, O’Toole found three goals after the main break to bring the Devils within two points of a maiden win for 2017.
But it wasn’t to be as Belmont Lions’ David Marks responded with a goal at the other end to secure the 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) victory.
O’Toole will be joined at the tribunal by his nephew Kyle, who was also reported for striking Lion Danny Carr.
“My boys said they were getting sniped, all that, but our objective was to just keep winning the footy all day,” Belmont coach Grant Tanner said. “It was a frustrating game, it wasn’t pretty both ways because of our kicking skills, which is probably the biggest thing letting us down at the moment.”
Devon Winsall finished with five goals for the Lions, who dominated the second term clearance count 11 to two.
Michael Leamer was rewarded with the Wathaurong Glass best player trophy for Belmont, while interleague nominee Dylan Shelley won Corio’s honour. “He’s obviously a very handy footballer Leamer, we just had a few different dimensions there and a few players who don’t deserve to be there at the moment, but that’s just where we’re at,” Tanner said.
The awards were presented by Geelong MP Christine Couzens who, at age 23, lost her indigenous husband Allan in a tragic on-field accident while playing for Corio.
Fewer Belmont players could be prouder than Lachlan Edwards with the motto “In the Dream Time, Trevor Edwards” printed on the back of his jumper.
“My first cousin (in South Australia) is aboriginal so the occasion is significant and we as a playing group want to recognise all the work that’s involved in day’s like today,” Tanner said.