FALCONS SCORE BACK-TO-BACK WINS
REIGNING premiers Geelong Falcons strung together back-to-back wins with a comprehensive showing over Calder Cannons yesterday.
The usual suspects were pivotal in the 6.6 (42) to 14.7 (91) win, with Brayden Ham the star of the afternoon with three majors.
“He was special today,” coach Dan O’Keefe said.
“His work rate up the ground is phenomenal and his athleticism to be able to mark above his head and play taller than what he actually is, is just great and an asset to him to the team.
“He certainly outclassed the opposition today.”
O’Keefe said his side’s ability to deepen its midfield had allowed stars Ham, Sam Walsh and Oscar Brownless (two goals) to impact around the ground.
“We’ve created a new midfield, which is wonderful, with Logan Taylor, Ben Morton, Oscar Brownless and Baxter Mensch,” he said.
“Between those four and Sam Walsh and Brayden Ham going through there at times, I think we’ve really found a niche in our team.
“It’s really balanced between defensive and attacking.. The other good player today was Doyle Madigan. His last few weeks on the wing have been really good. He keeps raising the bar every week and him and Sam Torpy on the wings are really starting to own them.”
The Falcons led 25-14 at the first change after Blake Schlensog kicked his side’s fourth goal into the breeze.
O’Keefe said he could tell early that his side was on.
“We kicked into the breeze first quarter and we thought if we were in front or around the mark at the first quarter then that would really set us up,” he said.
“But we kicked the first couple of goals and really looked strong at the outset.
“Similar to last week, our first five minutes of the game proved a point that we came to play and you could just see a really good mindset shift in regards to game day and the way we approach it.”
The Cannons got to within seven points five minutes into the third term, but the Falcons kicked away with seven of the last eight goals.
“Blake Schlensog was fantastic as our lone key forward really and Dane Hollenkamp continues to finish off his great work learning his craft on the defensive line,” O’Keefe said.
“He’s been wonderful down there, really starting to put his hand up for Vic Country.”