COUNTRY TIGERS ROAR
THOMSON surrendered a 20-point quarter-time lead to go down to Bannockburn at Godfrey St Oval on Saturday.
The home side jumped out of the blocks, piling on five majors, but could only muster another five for the match as Bannockburn surged to a valuable 12-point win.
The country Tigers rallied in the second term, kicking five goals to two to hold a fivepoint buffer at the main break.
Bannockburn could not shake their city counterparts throughout a tight second half, marred by poor conversion from both teams with a combined return of 7.13.
But the visitors eventually held on for an 11.19 (85) to 10.13 (63) win, with star forward Kieran Fulton kicking five goals in another best-onground performance.
Dan Freeman was electric in the first half for Thomson, with a four-goal return, but Linc Peters curtailed his effectiveness after the long break.
Thomson wasted opportunities with the third-quarter wind advantage, as crucial skill errors under pressure cost them dearly.
It was an arm wrestle in the final term as Billy Ritchie and Dan Measures controlled the stoppages for Bannockburn, while Blake O’Halloran and Sam Green held sway in the big man duels for Thomson.
Thomson has held on to fifth spot by percentage, while Bannockburn skipped to fourth place, a game behind East Geelong.
INVERLEIGH v EAST GEELONG
INVERLEIGH suffered its first loss in 987 days, going down to East Geelong in a thriller.
The Hawks lost their first game since the 2019 first semi-final, ending a 17-game winning streak after being undefeated in a Covidravaged 2021 season and an abandoned 2020.
The Eagles were superb in a desperate last-quarter surge, kicking four goals against the breeze to snatch a seemingly unlikely eight-point victory.
Matt Tyquin owned the footy early, constantly clearing the stoppages for the Hawks on the back of Luke Wilson’s dominance in the ruck.
Zac Smith was effectively held by Jack Fiolet until he was forced off with an injury, but he produced the goal of the day, with a wind-assisted bomb to keep his team in the game.
Tom Cordner-Maas kicked two early goals against the flow for the Eagles and started to balance the clearance ledger during an even second term.
East entered the last quarter one point in arrears but refused to lay down, as Ali Maas and Harry Monahan dominated in defence and
Jake Watson-Searle was an effective forward as the Eagles pulled away to win 13.9 (87) to 11.13 (79).
NORTH GEELONG v WINCHELSEA
WINCHELSEA continued its improvement with a big
17.16 (118) to 6.8 (44) win over North Geelong.
David Tucker kicked five goals to complement the midfield dominance of Lachlan Kendall and Tom Stephenson. Reece Tompkins continued his purple patch of form to be the Magpies’ best.
BELMONT LIONS v GEELONG WEST
GEELONG West remains the only undefeated team in the competition after dominating the Belmont Lions.
The Giants moved to 6-0 with their 16.21 (117) to 6.7 (43) victory, with Lachlan Turner best afield. Blake Dye was on target again with five majors for West, while evergreen Michael Leamer regularly fed the gleeful forwards. Nathan Bisset led from the front with distinction for the Lions.
WERRIBEE CENTRALS v ANAKIE
WERRIBEE Centrals snared a confidence-boosting win over a plucky Anakie.
The injury-ravaged Centurions were spearheaded by Josh Bouwman, who kicked four goals in the 9.16 (70) to
7.5 (47) victory at Galvin Park.
Veteran defender Marc Yates was also instrumental for Centrals, while ruckman Brayden Riddell was a standout for the Roos.
CORIO v BELL POST HILL
WILL Ford was at his damaging best as Bell Post Hill inflicted more pain on Corio, running out winners by 62 points at Shell Reserve.
Ford booted nine goals, taking his season tally to 28, as the Panthers won 20.10 (130) to 9.14 (68).
Devils star Joel Bennett did his Whitley Medal chances no harm, kicking five goals in another stunning performance. Jordan Flaccavento was superb in defence for the Panthers, while Toby Bennett followed the lead of his brother to again be one of Corio’s best.