By Mark Heenan
Ocean Grove was left to ponder its fortunes after plummeting to a 10-goal loss when Barwon Heads outplayed the Grubbers at Ray Menzies Oval on 6 May.
The Grubbers have some soul searching to do with a league bye this weekend, before facing Queenscliff at home on 20 May.
It was a stark contrast for the home side after Ocean Grove booted 21 goals against an injury-riddled Drysdale at Mortimer Oval a week earlier.
The Seagulls have won the last six Battle of the Bridge contests.
Barwon Heads dominated from the outset and led by 20 points at the first break.
The Seagulls could have easily been further in front after missing some simple set shots at goal prior to quarter time.
It was a lacklustre performance from Paul Lynch’s men as the Seagulls chased and tackled better and were much harder and stronger at the footy than the Grubbers.
Remarkably, Barwon Heads kept the inaccurate Ocean Grove goalless in the second and third quarters.
Ocean Grove forward Daniel Maloney kicked the Grubbers’ only major in the final term.
Grubber veteran Liam Rock played in his first senior match since round 18 last season.
Barwon Heads playing coach Mitch Herbison booted three goals, while team-mate Dylan Holland finished with two majors.
Ocean Grove senior coach Paul Lynch did not return the Voice’s call when asked for a comment.
In the reserves game, Barwon Heads defeated a competitive Ocean Grove by 31 points.
The Grubbers led the Seagulls by five points at half time, but the visitors recovered after the main break and kicked six goals to two.
Final scores Barwon Heads 8.10 (58) to Ocean Grove 4.3 (27).
Grubber James Peers found some form following his stint in the seniors and was named in the best players with his two goals.
In the under-18 Colts, Ocean Grove 1 won the Battle of the Bridge clash against Barwon Heads by 11 points – Ocean Grove 8.6 (54) to Barwon Heads 6.7 (43).
Zane Leist booted three goals, while Grubber team-mate Tom Ryan kicked two majors and increased his goal tally 18 from six matches.
Ocean Grove 2 won its Colts game against Belmont Lions, 13.5 (83) to 6.12 (48). Reed Jordan booted four goals for the Grubbers.
In other developments, the Ocean Grove region will get its first taste of a major women’s Victorian Football League fixture this Saturday 13 May.
The Geelong Women’s VFL team will host the Seaford Tigerettes in their round two clash at Ray Menzies Oval at Shell Road.
Game starts at 1pm and entry is free.
SENIORS SCOREBOARD
BARWON HEADS 11.16 (82) d OCEAN GROVE 2.10 (22)
Ocean Grove
Goals: D. Freeman, D. Maloney.
Best: A. Jarvis, P. Hardy, D. Freeman, O. Monteith.
