INSPIRED GRUBBERS WIN BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE

In front of a great crowd befitting a Battle of the Bridge clash, an inspired Ocean Grove played a great game to overcome Barwon Heads by 11 points in a high standard game which thrilled everyone present.

Barwon Heads entered the Round 5 clash by making 6 changes – out of the side went Matt Dyer (injured), Braeden Eddy (unavailable) and 4 players omitted in Noah Young, Sam Allen, Harry Graham and Andy Walsgott. Into the side came Ryan Harvey, Lachlan Slorach, Xavier Everett, Cameron O’Leary, Seb Kent and Tim Chapman.

Barwon Heads had the breeze in the first quarter and Nathan Brown was on fire early with his marking and accurate kicking for goal to register 4 majors. Ocean Grove was applying enormous pressure around the ground and had great intent and pressure which was evident to see. The Grubbers kicked two goals into the wind to keep the margin at 20 points at the first break.

The second quarter saw Ocean Groves full forward James Paterson exert his influence on the game by marking everything up forward and kicking two goals. The GRUBBERS closed the gap before Nathan Brown continued his strong showing by kicking two more goals and then handballing to Cam O’Leary in the goal square as the Heads led by 9 points at the long break.

It was a great game as the crowd continued to build as both sides went hard at each other. Barwon Heads suffered setbacks in the third by losing Sam Harris, Zac Wright and Oli Wiltshire to injury which restricted rotations. Ryan Harvey in his first game was inspirational and Brock Close was battling away around the ground. It was goal for goal with Brown adding two more and Damien Horbury kicking his second. Paterson was growing in confidence and was a headache for the Seagulls defence by kicking 3 third quarter goals as the margain remained at 9 points with the GRUBBERS coming home with the wind.

Ocean Grove had a sniff for victory and their relentless tackling and pressure continued in the last quarter as they kicked the opening two goals to grab the lead for the first time. With no rotations, Barwon Heads hung in there with Cam O’Leary twice kicking inspirational goals to level scores. But Ocean Grove continued to answer with outstanding play to kick a couple of unbelievable goals and in the end thoroughly deserved their 11 point victory.

Ocean Grove 16.12 (108) defeated Barwon Heads 15.7 (97)

GOALKICKERS : Brown 8, O’Leary 3, Horbury 2, Harvey 1, Young 1

BEST PLAYERS : Brown, O’Leary, Close, Harvey

RESERVES WRAP

Barwon Heads continued their consistent form at Reserves level by defeating Ocean Grove by 103 points to remain undefeated in 2021.

Barwon Heads 18.15 (123) defeated Ocean Grove 3.2 (20)

GOALKICKERS : Gumley 4, Hardiman 3, Walter 2, Allen 2, Wills 2, Michell 2, Potiriadis 1, N.Young 1, Walsgott 1

BEST PLAYERS : Walter, Bailey Graham, Oscar Young, Gumley, Berg, Sean O’Leary

COLTS RECORD FIRST VICTORY

Barwon Heads Colts recorded their first victory for the 2021 season by defeating Ocean Grove by 43 points in a great reward for coaches Joel Kearney, Frank Young and Matt Barsby plus the players who have been great in 2021.

Barwon Heads 14.6 (90) defeated Ocean Grove 6.11 (47)

GOALKICKERS : McGregor-Dawson 4, Stephens 3, Arkell 1, Brady 1, Fattore 1, Green 1, Travers 1, Vella 1, Snookes 1

BEST PLAYERS : Arkell, Stephens, Fattore, Walter, McAteer, McGregor-Dawson