After a great win at Modewarre in round one, Ocean Grove was completely outplayed by a slicker and more skilful Portarlington at Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday April 12.
Portarlington’s assured ball use and ability to regularly hit the scoreboard shone out with former AFL player Connor Menadue slotting through six goals.
Ocean Grove improved after half-time, but the Demons recorded an impressive 11.10(76) to 7.15(57) victory.
“We by no means underestimated the opposition,” Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell said.
“They brought the pressure we expected and played a refined style of game. I’m sure at times the pressure affected our disposal, but far too often with no pressure, we made poor decisions or used it by hand and foot below the level we would have liked.”
In very warm conditions, Port looked the better side early even with Mitch Ward keeping the dangerous Teia Miles in check.
Big man Scott Greenhough was a constant aerial threat and Menadue was able to weave his magic.
“We spoke before the game that if we were too focussed on one or two of their top-end players, others would get off the chain and I thought our guys did a terrific job in respecting their opponents all day,” Farrell said.
“At times we lacked pressure on the ball going in that gave Menadue a better than 50/50 look at it and that’s not fair on our defenders.”
The Demons took a 20-point lead into half-time and Ocean Grove was struggling in attack, scoring only two majors for the half.
“Port have, clearly over the last few years, continued to add some players to their list that are exceptional ball users,” Farrell said.
“There’s so much space on our home deck that if you kick it well you can really break open a game (and) they did more of that than us.”
The Grubbers booted four goals to one in the final term to run out the game well, but the damage had already been done.
“There’s no doubt our players are clear on how we would like to play and what our good footy looks like,” Farrell said.
“We didn’t play like that enough but we spoke quickly after the game about it not being a game we need to review in great depth as everyone there could see where the game was won and lost. There’s some clear areas we need to focus on and work hard at.”
Despite the loss, there were areas that Farrell was happy with. Just not enough of them.
“Some really great link up by hand was a highlight for the day,” he said.
“It was a super quick game and I don’t think anyone would have noticed we were down a couple of rotations for half a game, the way our guys ran out the day. They are really fit and couldn’t be prouder of the work they have done to get themselves in that kind of shape.”
The Grubbers now turn their attention to Anglesea on Easter Saturday.
“They’ve (Anglesea) become a real force of the competition and with every week as the sample size of games becomes larger, we get a clearer picture of where we are at and where our improvement will continue to come from,” Farrell said.
Playing coach Nick Bourke will spend an extended time on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in round one. Farrell said he was hopeful Bourke would be available in round seven after the bye.
Unbeaten Newcomb looks like being the surprise package, condemning reigning premier Torquay to a winless start. Jack Duke is set for another big season with five majors with the Power winning by 18 points.
Barwon Heads had to dig deep to defeat an impressive Queenscliff by six points. James Sydall was best while wingman Finn Cornell played well. Lachie Kidd was the Coutas’ best.
Geelong Amateur is the early season flag favourite after a 25-point win against Anglesea. Charlie Green was best while Lara recruit Mitch Day snagged five goals.
An accurate Drysdale booted 20.8 to defeat Modewarre by 75 points. Lachlan Nellis kicked two goals and was best and Tom Ruggles kicked four.
The Ocean Grove vs Portarlington reserves match was called off early due to an injury to Grubbers’ player Luke Devlin. Devlin was knocked unconscious, but has since been released from hospital and is doing well. It is the second week in a row Portarlington has had its reserves game cut short. Ocean Grove was in front at time and because the incident happened after half-time, will receive the four points. Neither Port or Barwon Heads received any points for the round one game as an injury to Baxter Stephenson occurred before half-time.
