WOUNDED DRAGONS FIRE BACK
BELL Park was without two of its best and most experienced midfielders on Saturday — and still recorded a season-defining four-point win over an injury-depleted Leopold.
The Dragons had to retrieve a 20-point deficit from early in the last term but kicked four of the last five goals at Hamlyn Park to score a memorable victory.
They were without co-captain Lachie Patten (foot) and experienced midfielder Jackson Sheringham (hamstring) from halfway through the second quarter.
But the hosts rallied to record a 12.12 (84) to 11.14 (80) victory, improving their record to 3-2 and leaving Leopold with just one win from the opening five rounds.
Patten bounced back into the rooms during coach Shane Jack’s post-match address and appeared to have avoided serious injury. He had left for Xrays during the second term.
Jack said it was an important moment in the context of his side’s season.
“I put that to the group before the game that this could really set us up for the season,” Jack said. “I know it’s a bit early but I just think if you go 2-3, it makes hard work but now we go 3-2.
“The boys, playing a game like that this early in the season, is really good for them as well.”
Bell Park kicked three quick goals to reduce the margin to under a goal early in the final term before Jackson Bright provided the go-ahead major with his third of the day.
The Dragons had to bravely defended their slim advantage in a quarter that nudged 35 minutes.
Ruckman Luke Goetz, too, was sore, moving like a man that had endured a bruising battle in the middle against Lions big man Trent West.
Jack praised his side’s spirit to fight back in the last quarter.
“I thought we’d always keep coming — it’s in our group at the moment,” he said.
“That was the most pleasing thing to get that 20 points down but we got one back relatively quick and I knew from then on, I thought we could keep coming.”
Leopold coach Jason Tom said Bell Park’s three-goal burst, after it established a game-high margin, was the difference in the match.
“It changed pretty quickly,” Tom said. “That killed us, that eight minutes, didn’t it?”
COLAC v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL
COLAC Tigers showed why they deserve premiership favouritism with an 83-point win over Newtown & Chilwell.
Eagles forward Darcy Troop provided a lone hand in attack, kicking five of his side’s goals in the 18.21 (129) to 7.4 (46) defeat. Colac’s four other wins this year have been by 61, 53, 62 and 43 points.
Colac has the bye this weekend before hosting St Mary’s in the grand final rematch on May 29.
GROVEDALE v NORTH SHORE
GROVEDALE forward Tom Gillett, one of the brightest young talents in the GFL, moved into outright lead of the league goalkicking with a seven-goal haul on Saturday.
It was Gillett’s second bag of seven this season and took him to 22 majors for the season. North Shore did provide some early resistance before being pushed over by 69 points.
ST JOSEPH’S v LARA
ST Joseph’s moved into the top five with a 43-point win over Lara at Herne Hill Reserve.
Joeys produced a 39-point turnaround in the second quarter with a seven-goal term to lead by 22 points at the long break.
It set the foundation for the 16.14 (110) to 10.7 (67) win, Cam Tudor providing six goals for the home side.
SOUTH BARWON v ST MARY’S
SOUTH Barwon was kept scoreless for two quarters on Saturday as St Mary’s recorded a 23-point win at McDonald Reserve.
The Swans failed to score in the opening and third quarters as 14 of the game’s 18 goals came with the advantage of the wind.
Jack Blood continued his excellent season for St Mary’s with another best afield showing.
ST ALBANS v GEELONG WEST GIANTS
AN eight-goal second half helped Geelong West Giants to a 31-point win over an inaccurate St Albans on Saturday, their third victory of the season.
The Giants led by two points at half-time but capitalised on their chances after the long break by kicking 8.4 to 3.5.
The Supersaints’ inaccuracy in the first half proved costly. They had three more scoring shots but only registered 2.11.