SWANS ON SONG IN THRILLER
LOCAL FOOTBALL AND NETBALL WRAP
BELL Post Hill further compounded Winchelsea’s winless start to the season, powering its way into the top-four on the back of a 106-point win at Myers Reserve.
The Blues continue to search for answers, while the Panthers are building after cruising to a 22.14 (146) to 6.4 (40) victory.
Bell Post Hill’s even team performance was highlighted by 12 individual goalkickers, Jack Yates the best of the batch with four majors.
Panthers coach Justin Tarr cited the four-quarter effort to confirm as his team’s best of the season.
“While the return today was very pleasing, we are very aware our three wins have been against winless opposition, so we are not getting ahead of ourselves,” Tarr said post-match.
“We have a serious test next week against Bannockburn to see where we really are and the boys are very excited about the challenge.
“We understand the evenness of the competition this year, but today confirmed the belief that we are capable of making the top group.”
Tarr was pleased with the performance of recruits Boe Collins and young ruckman Brock Carter and his captain Yates.
“There is plenty spoken about the talent in our older group, but the younger players and recruits have really pleased us so far,” Tarr said.
EAST GEELONG v ANAKIE
JUNIOR debutant Hugh Menzies had the East Geelong faithful in raptures, after kicking seven goals and winning best-on-ground honours in a 23.15 (153) to 5.1 (31) victory over Anakie.
Fraser O’Connell also impressed the Eagles’ coaching staff, while John Gillett was the Roos’ best in another frustrating loss.
WERRIBEE CENTRALS v NORTH GEELONG
WERRIBEE Centrals returned to the winners’ list with a 17.12 (114) to 9.8 (62) win over an inconsistent North Geelong. The Magpies started slowly again as Rhyce Prismall and Tyler Crennan gave the Centrals forwards plenty of opportunity.
Tom Schwennensen and Jacob Bruns dragged the Magpies back into the contest but a late fade out left their injured coach Ayden George quite frustrated.
CORIO v THOMSON
THOMSON had to work hard to shake off a dogged Corio, with the 18.12 (120) to 6.13 (49) scoreline confirming the Devils’ improvement.
The corresponding clash in 2019 resulted in a 227-point loss, with Corio not registering any score.
Andrew Jarvis and Troy Fenyvesi kept the Tigers on track, while Luke Cornwell won praise from the Devils’ hierarchy for his determined four-quarter effort.
INVERLEIGH v GEELONG WEST
INVERLEIGH sent the Geelong West Giants back to the drawing board as it recovered from a sluggish start to win 16.12 (108) to 9.8 (62).
Jake Crawley won best player billing for the Hawks, while Mark Wettern was notable for the Giants.
BELMONT LIONS v BANNOCKBURN
THE Lions may have been flattered by the scoreboard in a disappointing 9.30 (84) to
5.8 (38) loss to a woefully inaccurate Bannockburn.
Hayden Spiller continued his outstanding form in defence for the Tigers and Ben Evans carried the Lions’ big man duties with aplomb.