By Mark Heenan
Coach Paul Lynch shifted his focus to BFL power Torquay in the aftermath of Ocean Grove’s resounding 89-point win over Anglesea on 17 June.
Speaking in the rooms after a win at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval, Lynch implored his players “to prepare early“ for a top-three clash against Torquay this weekend.
Second-placed Torquay is the form side with an 84-point drubbing of Drysdale on Saturday and disposing of ladder leader Barwon Heads by 89 points on 10 June.
Lynch confirmed the clash would not just be won or lost in midfield.
“We’ve got more problems (to worry) about than their midfield. They have got two extremely good players that play off half-back in (Sam) Wormald and (Zac) Hopper,“ Lynch told the Voice.
“They (Wormald and Hopper) got us last time, the two half-back flankers.“
The Tigers smashed the Grubbers by 66 points at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval in Round 3.
The wheel has since turned with the Grubbers marching to their fifth victory in a row on Saturday.
A blistering start in the first half saw Ocean Grove set up victory over a non-competitive and under strength Anglesea.
At half time Ocean Grove led by a whopping 57 points.
“A fast start was a real focus,“ Lynch said.
Dynamic Grubber forward Daniel Maloney jumped out of the blocks booting three of his eight goals in the first term.
“Dan is a confidence player and he admits that himself, it was good for him to get off to a flyer,“ Lynch said.
Dominant midfielders Brent Macleod, who kicked four goals, and James Linton, who kicked three majors, both got on top early.
Co vice-captain Matt Caldow (ankle) and skipper Kelly Williams (groin) did not play.
“Caldow is real sore – he has been carrying an ankle for two weeks,“ he said.
Lynch said Caldow and Williams were still in the frame to play Torquay.
Harry Walker played his first senior game for 2017 after recovering from a broken ankle.
Defender Peter Hardy kept BFL leading goalkicker and Anglesea playing coach Dale Carson, who has kicked 40 goals from 10 games, goalless for only the second time in 2017.
Carson left the ground after half time with an injury.
Ocean Grove’s senior game against Torquay starts at 2.10pm at Spring Creek Reserve on Saturday.
Fletcher Sharrock booted six goals in Ocean Grove’s reserves 110-point win over Anglesea. Final scores Ocean Grove 17.17(119) to Anglesea 1.3(9). Ocean Grove’s Jack Brew kicked three goals, while Scott Grant, Harry Rawlings and Adam Gerdtz all kicked two majors. The Grubbers have moved into seventh position with a 4-7 record.
In Under 18 Division 2 Colts games, Ocean Grove 1 defeated St Albans defeated by 73 points at St Albans Reserve, 15.15(105) to 5.2(32). Craig Goodger kicked four goals. Ocean Grove 1 is in top spot with 9-2 record.
In Under 18 Division 3 games, Anglesea defeated Ocean Grove 2 by 32 points, 11.7(73) to 6.5(41). Ocean Grove 2 is in eighth spot.
SCOREBOARD
OCEAN GROVE 20.12(132) defeated ANGLESEA 6.5(41)
Ocean Grove
Goals: D. Maloney 8, B. Macleod 4, J. Linton 3, J. Carmody 2, T. Gavin, D. Freeman, J. Wills.
Best: J. Linton, R. Hobbs, B. Macleod, D. Maloney, J. Carmody, P. Maloney.
