By Mark Heenan
Ocean Grove’s top-three hopes were dealt a crushing blow after Drysdale cruised to an impressive 10-goal win at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval on 1 July.
The under-strength Grubbers head into this weekend’s mid-year break with heavy back-to-back losses against Torquay and Drysdale.
Ocean Grove sits in fifth place with 8-5 record after 13 rounds.
Prior to the Torquay clash, Ocean Grove had breathed life into the season with five wins in a row and tasted its first victory against Geelong Amateur in five years on 3 June.
Ocean Grove coach Paul Lynch remained philosophical after the loss to Drysdale with a rising injury count.
Ruck Andrew Jarvis (ribs), Travis Gavin (quad), defender Peter Hardy (wisdom teeth), Mitch Lindkvist (ankle) and Daniel Maloney (unavailable) all did not play on Saturday.
“We obviously had a lot of players out, that is life unfortunately and that is footy,“ Lynch told the Voice.
“I thought we would be a bit more better than that (against Drysdale).“
Lynch paid credit to Drysdale in the post-match, the Hawks turned the tables on the Grubbers after Ocean Grove blitzed Drysdale by 48 points in round five at Mortimer Oval.
“They were good – we knew it was going to be a 50/50 game,“ Lynch said.
The Grubbers were forced to play an inexperienced ruck combination of Matt Caldow and Harrison Foott, who played his first senior game in 2017, in the absence of Jarvis.
“We knew that would be a concern,“ Lynch admitted.
Drysdale big man Damien Hoare took advantage and grabbed some towering marks around the ground.
Drysdale coach Wade Chapman described the win as its most complete performance in 2017.
“We are a hard working side,“ Chapman said.
“It was a good team performance and there was four consistent quarters.“
Hawk Matthew Hebbard dominated with eight goals, while team-mate Kyle Davis was a standout.
“It was his best game,“ Chapman said of Hebbard, a recruit from St Mary’s in GFL.
Grubber forward Jake Carmody was named his side’s best player with five goals. Carmody has kicked 40 goals after 13 rounds.
Ocean Grove’s next game is against Barwon Heads at Howard Harmer Oval on Saturday 15 July.
The Grubbers play only one more match at home in their remaining five BFL fixtures.
In the reserves clash, Drysdale claimed a 33-point win over Ocean Grove. Final scores: Drysdale 8.15(63) to Ocean Grove 3.12(30). Ocean Grove sit in seventh spot with a 4-9 record after 13 rounds.
In the Under 18 Colts Division three games, Drysdale 1 defeated Ocean Grove 2 by 63 points at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval. Final scores: Drysdale 10.17(77) to Ocean Grove 2.2(14).
In Division Two Colts games, Lara defeated Ocean Grove 1 by 22 points at Bisinella Oval in Lara. Final scores: Lara 12.13(85) to Ocean Grove 9.9 (63). Grubber pair Tom Ryan and Craig Davis each booted three goals.
Ocean Grove’s run home for 2017:
Round 14: Barwon Heads (away)
Round 15: Portarlington (away)
Round 16: Modewarre (home)
Round 17: Anglesea (away)
Round 18: Queenscliff (away)
SCOREBOARD
DRYSDALE 20.13(133) defeated OCEAN GROVE 10.13(73)
Ocean Grove
Goals: J. Carmody 5, P. Maloney 2, R. Maloney, D. Freeman, J. Linton.
Best: J. Carmody, M. Caldow, J. Linton, R. Hobbs, B. Macleod, H. Hoober.
