Ocean Grove had six more scoring shots than Anglesea, but still went down by 29 points on Saturday August 5 at Ellimatta Reserve.
The Grubbers scored six behinds in the first term to Anglesea’s two straight goals and at half time had scored 2.11 to 7.2.
Coach Dave Farrell said the side hit the post “five or six times” with Anglesea finally sewing up a finals spot with a 14.4(88) to 7.17(59) win.
“Scoreline might have looked a little different if the ball wasn’t such an awkward shape and a little easier to kick straight,” he said.
“You have days like that, not usually on a dry sunny deck with no wind but you have them.”
The loss came after five weeks of getting so close to a win against quality opposition.
Ocean Grove meets a rejuvenated Queenscliff in the final round. The Coutas were stunning in an upset three-point win against Barwon Heads.
Farrell said a string of close losses hadn’t impacted his players’ confidence.
“Not at all, we started with really high energy, the conditions at Anglesea were perfect and I think we had 11 of the first 13 scoring shots,” he said.
“To register 2.9 to 2.0 just isn’t the reward for effort our guys deserved.
“Anglesea were really good and made the most of their opportunities. For the last five weeks we have gone out against sides with plenty to play for, a finals spot or looking to secure a top three finish and they have played like it.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys, matching that intensity and controlling each of those games for periods has been an invaluable experience.”
Farrell said Ocean Grove “adjusted to the smaller ground” at Anglesea very well.
“The way the draw fell this year we played a block at home and obviously train on a really big ground,” he said.
“There wasn’t the room to move that we have been used to and the players had to think their way through defensive 50 exits and taking territory.”
There are still areas Ocean Grove needs to improve on to be a finals side next season.
“We haven’t been needing to change our focus too much week to week and trying to keep the messaging as consistent as possible to the group in regard to how we want to play,” Farrell said.
“Getting the ball into dangerous areas but more importantly to the advantage of our players in front of us is still an area we are looking to improve on and hoping that can bring greater efficiency in front of goals too.”
Farrell wouldn’t be drawn on whether the side needed a scalp other than Newcomb or Portarlington going into the final game of the season.
“We spoke at three quarter time on Saturday about the result, win or lose, probably meaning more to people on the outside than it does to our group at the moment,” he said.
“The players have been really clear on our processes and can measure their improvement against a range of factors within our control. A win would be a great way to cap off the first season together for this coaching and playing group but the result either way wont influence our planning or motivation levels for 2024.”
ROUND 17
ANGLESEA vs OCEAN GROVE
Anglesea 2.0(12), 7.2(44), 9.2(56), 14.4(88)
Ocean Grove 0.6(6), 2.11(23), 5.16(46), 7.17(59)
GOALS
Anglesea: Danny Midolo 3, Lewis Beers 2, Tom Presnell 2, Jordan Keras, Simon Umbers, Will Batson, Jack Baker, Jack Rice, Ben Jaska, Jarod Bacon.
Ocean Grove: Brady Pritchard 3, Max Sutton, Jye Walker, Josh Horton, Caleb Belcher.
BEST
Anglesea: Lewis Beers, Max Virgona, Harrison Veale, Kobe Iversen-Smith, Will Batson, Sam Leeds.
Ocean Grove: Glenn Campbell, Edward Dayman, Cameron Fowler, Tom Chalkley, Max Sutton, Brady Pritchard.
