After two consecutive losses, Ocean Grove has turned its focus onto the huge round six Battle of the Bridge against cross-river rivals Barwon Heads.
The rivalry between the two clubs is one of the fiercest in country footy.
“Wayd Piec is on our coaching panel, he and I both played junior footy at both clubs,” Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell said.
“I was only 12 but remember clearly attending the most memorable one, the ‘94 grand final.
“Our group is enormously proud of the club’s history, but is pretty good at not being distracted from our medium and longer term goals and the need for continued improvement. We won’t be overplaying this one that’s for sure.”
Barwon Heads was flying, but ran into a charged up Torquay side last weekend and suffered its first loss.
Ocean Grove is coming off a six-point loss to Geelong Amateur and a 31-point defeat at the hands of Drysdale.
Farrell said the Seagulls would be hurting, but that wouldn’t affect the way his side will prepare for the game.
“Two weeks ago people asked about us playing a proud Ammos on the rebound from Barwon Heads and now Barwon Heads are on the rebound from Torquay,” he said.
“It’s a great competition and I don’t think anyone this early is placing too high an importance on one win or loss.
“Torquay are an awesome outfit and showed that on the weekend, but I’m sure the result hasn’t bruised Barwon Heads’ confidence. They can still get the job done later in the year.”
Farrell said turnovers were costly in the loss to Drysdale on April 29. The Hawks led by 35 points at the main break, but Ocean Grove improved in the second half to go down, 12.9(81) to 16.16(112).
“We gave up nine goals from direct turnovers,” Farrell said.
“Drysdale’s pressure was good, but we perceived it to be greater than it was. Most of these errors weren’t forced.”
Tom Ruggles booted eight goals for Drysdale in an outstanding individual performance up forward.
“I thought Funky (Glenn Campbell) was terrific on him – Ruggles is a really tough match-up and whoever plays on him needs some help,” Farrell said.
“They have a really good spread of talent forward and the pressure we put ourselves under with our turnovers and lack of pressure on the ball coming in meant all our defenders were caught one vs one.”
Ocean Grove’s six-point loss at home to Geelong Amateur on April 22 and the defeat to Drysdale has cost it a spot in the top five.
“We gave them (Ammos) a head start by not executing on our plan to limit their ability to get speed on the ball through the middle part of the ground,” Farrell said.
“In the first half their key forwards (Aaron) Willittts and (Jai) Sheahan got the ball delivered to their advantage too often. After half time we corrected that.”
The Battle of the Bridge is at Howard Harmer Oval, Barwon Heads on May 6 starting at 2.10pm.
In the reserves, Ocean Grove defeated Geelong Amateur by 10 points in round four and lost to Drysdale by 16 points in a low-scoring affair in round five.
The Grubbers are third on the ladder and take on the unbeaten Barwon Heads starting at noon.
