GIANT STRIDES
Geelong West building nicely as relegation battle takes early shape
GEELONG WEST will enter this week’s clash with the winless Newtown & Chilwell full of confidence after outplaying a listless St Albans on Saturday.
While the Eagles have had a tough start to the year with matches against St Mary’s, Leopold and Bell Park, they would be aware that slipping up against the Giants on Saturday could have major ramifications later on in the year.
The Supersaints take on Lara, with the loser resigned to facing relegation at season’s end, but with the Giants and Eagles, along with North Shore, appearing likely to be in a battle to stay in the top tier in 2019, it looms as a fascinating round of football.
Geelong West coach Greg Mellor said it was encouraging to see his side turn a corner against St Albans, with the Giants beginning to show signs they could put together four quarters of consistent footy.
“From our perspective we’re really clear on what we want and what we think our style of football looks like,” Mellor said.
“We’re building towards that with the way we train and the way we play and continue to work at training on our execution of that so we can do the same under pressure.
“The mark of a really good side is that they can do that (consistently) and we’re not there yet but when we are we’ll be winning the majority of our quarters and the majority of our games, so we’re building.
“Everyone likes winning, but it’s not only for the players, it’s for the whole club and we’re very clear on the direction we’re heading. We’ve got a lot of fantastic people around our club and outside the club who are working hard off the field and as a coach and for the players we’re really fortunate to have those people there, so now it’s up to the players to do their job on the ground.”
The Giants started sensationally on Saturday and maintained their form for the majority of the afternoon, running out 48-point winners.
Mellor praised Geelong West’s leaders for showing the way after a tough opening fortnight. “I think our ability to use the ball was the most pleasing part and to transition from defence to offence,” he said.
“The guys played well and that was what we were expecting them to do. Our leaders stood up and played well and we put it on them to stand up and lead the way.
“Jye Bohm, David Peel and Scott Frangos all led the way and Chris Moreland was outstanding with his unselfish team play, particularly early, and that gets young guys following suit.”
After three complete rounds in the GFL four teams remain winless, with North Shore getting its chance to register its first for the year on Saturday against South Barwon.