HEADS DEMOLISH GRUBBERS IN BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE CLASH

Barwon Heads continued their recent dominance over Ocean Grove running out 85 point victors in the latest edition of the Battle of the Bridge. Barwon Heads again made 4 changes to the side that lost to Torquay last week – Sam Evans returned from injury, Charlie Sprague returned from the Geelong Falcons and Tim Chapman and Dylan O’Leary were promoted from the reserves. Out of the side went Dom Booth with injury and Chris Varsamakis, James Wills and Billy Pelham were omitted.

Barwon Heads begun the game with intent and were linking up with precision and a bone crunching tackle from Charlie Sprague resulted in an early goal. Tim McIntyre was on fire early and kicked 3 opening term goals. Ned Aulsebrook, Braeden Eddy, BJ, Otto Opperman, Mitch Phelps, Dylan O’Leary,  Ben Stephens and Mitch Gaunt were dominating in the midfield and up back plenty of rebound was being created by Zac Walter, J-Mac, Kizza, Sammy Evans and Michael Philp. Braeden Eddy kicked two majors and Strawbs and  Phelpsy also hit the scoreboard in an impressive seven goal term.

The second quarter saw the Grubbers improve their intensity as the game was not as free flowing and it became more of an arm wrestle. Ocean Grove kicked the opening goal of the quarter through Ryan Lampa but the Seagulls replied with goals to Mitch Herbison and Chris Martin to go to the long break with a 38 point lead. It was also pleasing to see Zedekai Copland, Noah Young and Tim Chapman prominent throughout the first half.

The third quarter begun similar to the first quarter but the overall dominance could not be translated on to the scoreboard with the Seagulls kicking a very wasteful one goal nine behinds. The only goal coming from “Dogga” Dyer as the lead became 51 points and our defence kept the GRUBBERS goalless for the quarter.

The final quarter saw the gulls take advantage of their overall domination by adding 6 goals to one – Mitch Gaunt capped off a fine game by marking and goalling twice. Sam Evans continued to grow in confidence in his first game back for 5 weeks and Noah and BJ were finding plenty of space. Otto kicked his first, Phelpsy his second and Charlie Sprague and Ben Stephens also capped fine games by hitting the scoreboard. Also great credit to our defence who kept the GRUBBERS to only four goals for the game.

Barwon Heads 16.17 (113) defeated Ocean Grove 4.4 (28)

GOALKICKERS: McIntyre 3, Phelps 2, Gaunt 2, Eddy 2, Opperman 1, Horbury 1, Martin 1, Sprague 1, Dyer 1, Stephens 1, Herbison 1

BEST PLAYERS: Eddy, Stephens, Young, Sprague, Polley, Phelps

RESERVES WRAP

Barwon Heads lost to Ocean Grove by 15 points in a disappointing effort with a poor first three quarters before coming to life in a spirited final quarter comeback.
Unfortunately the 28 point three quarter time deficit was too great to overcome but certainly the improved final quarter gives the team confidence to take on the top team next week.

Ocean Grove 10.8 (68) defeated Barwon Heads 8.5 (53)

GOALKICKERS: Hewitt 2, Salmon 2, Kinsey 1, McMahon 1, Mitchell 1, Close 1

BEST PLAYERS: Beckwith, Avery, Walker, Swinton, O’Leary, McKinnon

Next week in Round 11 we host Modewarre in a crucial game for both sides.

Cheers,

Cuzza