With the Bellarine Netball League taking a break last weekend, Justin Flynn looks at all Ocean Grove’s sides and how they are travelling so far.
A Grade
Ladder: 3rd
Ocean Grove had its first loss in round 6 and it was a hefty one, to top side Geelong Amateur, which was without star shooter Ruby Watson. Another massive test comes immediately after the bye with a meeting against second placed and league surprise packet Newcomb. The Grubbers are still gelling as a team and should do enough to finish top three and earn a double chance come finals time.
B Grade
Ladder: 2nd
Ocean Grove should win its next two games, but then faces a big test against third placed Anglesea. Goalers Jesse Sutton and Amelia Cunningham are in good form and it would be a huge surprise to see the side finish any lower than third.
C Grade
Ladder: 1st
Despite sitting on top of the ladder on 20 points, it’s an even C Grade comp this year with four teams all on 16 points and a further three on 12 points. Grove’s first game back after the bye is against Newcomb. The Power is in eighth spot, but don’t let that fool you. They have a percentage of 98.48 and represent a stern test.
D Grade
Ladder: 2nd
A game clear of Torquay in third and a game in arrears of Ammos on the top, the Grubbers face three teams who are all outside the top in the next three rounds. Then the season is at its halfway point and it’s highly unlikely this side finishes outside the top three. Despite losing to Ammos in round six, there was enough in that performance to suggest the tables could turn later in the season.
E Grade
Ladder: 4th
The aim will be to finish in the top three and with games to come against three teams outside the five, the E Graders could find themselves there pretty quickly.
19 & Under
Ladder: 9th
This year will be a learning one for Ocean Grove, which is winless so far. An extra week thanks to a bye should rejuvenate the team, which will be eyeing off a victory in the second part of the season.
17 & Under Division 1
Ladder: 2nd
This is another competitive division, but Ocean Grove is well placed. Games against Drysdale (7th) and Anglesea (8th) to round out the first half of the season has the side in a nice position to challenge Portarlington for the minor premiership.
17 & Under Division 2
Ladder: 3rd
In yet another close comp, Grove’s next three games are against 6th, 8th and 9th on the ladder. There’s a bit of work to do to catch Torquay and Ammos, but even at this early stage, finals should be a formality.
15 & Under Division 1
Ladder: 8th
Despite winning one game so far, this team has only had one heavy loss and has been competitive without having any luck. Perhaps the best performance for the season came in a loss – by three goals to unbeaten Portarlington.
15 & Under Division 2
Ladder: 3rd
A two-goal loss to top side Ammos before the break shows that this side is capable of matching it with the best.
13 & Under Division 1
Ladder: 5th
Only three wins separates 1st from 6th with the young Grubbers in the mix for a finals spot. The best win of the season so far was against the Seagulls in round 4.
13 & Under Division 2
Ladder: 6th
If not for a two-goal loss to Port and a five-goal defeat to Ammos, the side would be well entrenched in the five. The highlight came in round 4 with a 31-goal win against fifth placed Barwon Heads.
