Brilliant Brennan mounts case with superb hat-trick

A GRACE-Brennan hat-trick set up a 6-0 win for Geelong over Knox in women’s Vic League 1 hockey on Saturday.

It was a strong return to the side for Brennan after a couple of matches in the reserves, making a strong case to remain in the team for the unbeaten Sharks.

The result was never in doubt over the eighth-placed Knox, with Geelong setting up a 4-0 lead by halftime. “(Brennan) was in the seconds last week so it’s a good return from her,’’ coach Shane Walters said.

“She set the day up a bit for us, she had two in the first seven or eight minutes.’’

Despite the result Walters said the match was a “bit patchy’’.

“Some bits were really, really good, but other bits we fell away a little bit,’’ he said.

“It certainly wasn’t a dominant performance, but for the most part it was pretty good. The defence was strong and didn’t give much away all day.’’

Along with Brennan’s form, Walters said Emma Hatton did well in midfield, while Emmaline Moore was a solid target upfront.

Moore, Courtney Pearson and Jessi McDonald scored the other goals.

The reserves team won 3-2 to maintain a solid grip on second spot.

Geelong faces a good test at home next weekend against the Bendigo-based Central Victoria, which is knocking on the door of the top four and will be desperately chasing an upset. Geelong won 7-0 in Bendigo early in the season but Walters expects a different showing next weekend.

“They’re fairly competitive, they’re a hard running side,’’ he said.

An undermanned men’s team scored an impressive 4-0 win over Frankston yesterday.

Injury-hit and playing one short for 15 minutes because of yellow cards, Geelong took a one-nil lead through Liam Kerr-Nelson after 28 minutes. The Sharks held sway throughout before Kerr-Nelson helped open the floodgates with a penalty corner conversion on 55 minutes, with Jimmy Jirik nailing two goals in two minutes (61, 62) to ice the game.

Coach Dan Taylor was delighted with what he said was a strong team effort, with several players running out of legs in warm conditions.

Captain Mark Jackson, Greg Hutchison and Zane Davie were Geelong’s better players, he said.