By Mark Heenan
Ocean Grove extended its mid-season winning streak to four games, accounting for Newcomb by 80 points at Grinter Reserve on 11 June.
The victory saw the Grubbers move to third spot on the ladder with a 7-3 record.
Newcomb were far more competitive than the scores reflected.
Grubber coach Paul Lynch conceded his side was beaten at the stoppages.
Grubber onballer Adam Marangon was sidelined early after he sustained a knee injury, while skipper Kelly Williams pulled up with a sore groin.
“Mara (Marangon) had a knee issue, Kelly will come up,” Ocean Grove director of football Paul Jubber said.
The Power kicked seven second-half goals compared with Ocean Grove’s 10.
Ocean Grove playing assistant coach Brent Macleod was at his dominant best and finished with six goals.
Macleod, a star midfielder, has booted 28 goals after 10 rounds.
Grubber forward Jake Carmody was a focal point with six goals and increased his season’s tally to 32.
Alongside Carmody and Macleod, exciting Grubber James Linton was named among the best players with four goals, while dynamic forward Travis Gavin booted three goals.
In contrast, Newcomb had 10 different goal kickers.
Ocean Grove young tall Ned Thorley made his senior debut and entered the winner’s circle for first time.
Thorley spent most of the game in defence before moving into the ruck after Andrew Jarvis was rested in the final term.
Ocean Grove utility Dylan Moroney notched up his 50th senior game.
In the reserves, Grubber livewire Daniel Freeman booted seven goals in Ocean Grove’s whopping 102-point victory over Newcomb.
Final scores Ocean Grove 17.10 (112) to Newcomb 1.4 (10).
Grubber trio James Wills, Adam Gerdtz and Harry Walker all kicked two goals.
It was Walker’s first game in 2017 after he recovered from a broken ankle while playing cricket for St Joseph’s in the off-season.
In Under 18 Colts Division two matches, Ocean Grove 1 defeated Werribee Centrals by 56 points, 17.9 (111) to 8.7 (55). Tom Ryan and Craig Goodger each kicked four goals.
In Division three matches, North Geelong thrashed Ocean Grove 2 by 122 points, 20.10 (130) to 1.2 (8).
SCOREBOARD
OCEAN GROVE 22.19 (151) d NEWCOMB 10.11 (71)
Goals: J. Carmody 6, B. Macleod 6, J. Linton 4, T. Gavin 3, P. Maloney, I. Wilkins, P. Hardy.
Best: B. Macleod, J. Carmody, J. Linton, A. Jarvis, P. Maloney, R. Hobbs.
