By Mark Heenan
Ocean Grove will shift its focus towards an Easter home clash against Torquay after a 40-point loss to Geelong Amateur on 8 April.
Ocean Grove was given a reality check after its thumping 106-point win over Portarlington on 1 April, while Amateur recovered from a 14-point loss to Torquay under lights in Round 1.
The reigning BFL premier proved too strong for Ocean Grove in warmish and wet conditions at Elderslie Reserve.
The match was relocated to Elderslie Reserve as the Queens Park changerooms undergo a facelift.
The Grubbers restricted the Ammos to two goals in the first quarter after the home side kicked with a strong breeze and led by 11 points at the first break.
Conditions took a dramatic shift in the second quarter as Amateur handled the slippery ball better than their opponents after a storm hit Elderslie Reserve.
Amateur out-scored Ocean Grove 2.4 to 1.1 as the home side took a decisive 20-point lead at half-time.
Amateur increased its margin out 34 points at three quarter-time.
Conditions dried up in a higher scoring final quarter as the Grubbers fought hard to kick 3.2, but it was to no avail as the Ammos ran out 40-point winners.
The home side booted 4.2 in the fourth term as Amateur livewire Jarrod Westwood finished the game with three goals.
Ocean Grove’s loss means it dipped from top spot to third position.
Grubber youngster Riley Maloney made his senior debut and was joined by brothers Daniel, Patrick and Emmet.
The Ocean Grove quartet of Jake Carmody, Matt Caldow, James Linton and Daniel Maloney all kicked one goal.
The Grubbers Round 3 senior match against Torquay starts at 2.10pm at Ray Menzies Oval at Shell Road this Saturday.
Ocean Grove’s Easter home fixture is its largest home game in terms of attendance numbers each year.
In the reserves grade, Geelong Amateur defeated Ocean Grove by 56 points.
Final scores: Geelong Amateur 12.17(89) to Ocean Grove 4.9(33).
The home side kept the Grubbers goalless in the first term.
Ocean Grove was more competitive in the second term with three goals, but in the end Amateur ran out almost 10-goal winners.
In was a different result for Ocean Grove 1 after its comprehensive 67-point win in their Under 18 Colts grading game against Geelong Amateur at Elderslie Reserve.
Final scores: Ocean Grove 14.13(97) to Geelong Amateur 4.6(30).
Tom Ryan booted six goals for the Grubbers.
In the other Colts grading games Ocean Grove 2 defeated Inverleigh at Inverleigh by 43 points.
Final scores: Ocean Grove 10.12(72) to Inverleigh 4.5(29).
GEELONG AMATEUR 10.10(70) defeated OCEAN GROVE 4.6(30)
Ocean Grove
Goals: J. Carmody, M. Caldow, J. Linton, D. Maloney.
Best Players: K. Long, J. Linton, P. Maloney, T. Hobbs, A. Marangon, B. Macleod.
