Depleted Magpies in gutsy win over Anakie
MISSING a third of its best side, North Geelong held tough for an 18-point win over old rival Anakie.
For the second straight week, the Magpies relied on small forward Beau Runnalls in attack, with the former St Kilda City forward booting five goals.
Magpies coach Darren Ryan now hopes to assist his marquee recruit with another forward option to help spread the scoring load.
“You can see when the ball is in his space he’s really dangerous, so we’re probably lacking the bigger forward up there to help him out,” Ryan said.
“Hopefully over the next few weeks we can have a few guys go forward and take some pressure off him.”
Ryan admitted the absence of Daniel Kee, Darcy Eales, Tom Davis, Luke Schwennesen (injured), Matt Runnalls (overseas), Steven Richert, David Crook and Jonathon Woods (work) allowed him to appreciate the victory, which sees the Pies with a 2-2 record.
“We’ve got a group of about nine players missing from the group with seven of them walk-ins to the senior side,” he said.
“Luke Parker (work) doesn’t count in that group either because he hasn’t trained yet.”
“Last week we had six changes and then we had another six this week so I was really pleased with how our young blokes have been going about themselves.”
But the coach admitted his side still had plenty to work on. “The last few weeks we’ve steered away from our skills at training to focus on our structures, so after our poor skills today we’ll no doubt return to our skill sessions from now on,” Ryan said.
Across the league, on Saturday night, Werribee Centrals were victorious over Geelong West by 17 points at Galvin Park.
In what was a tight affair, the lead changed several times before the home side kicked away in the final term.
Daniel Skinner bagged three goals and was well served by Zac Anthony, Jackson Smith and Jared Fletcher.
Yesterday Thomson easily accounted for East Geelong at Godfrey Street Reserve, running out 60point winner in the battle of the roundabout.
The result keeps the Tigers in the hunt for a spot in the top five, although the Eagles now appear unlikely to be a finals threat.
Belmont inflicted further pain on Corio to gain its first victory of the season in emphatic fashion, winning by 116 points in a truly onesided encounter at Winter Reserve.