Ocean Grove was left to count the cost of another slow start, this time against Modewarre.
The Grubbers conceded six goals in the opening term to trail by 33 points at the break, before outscoring the Warriors for the remainder of the game to lose 9.11(65) to 12.9(81) at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday April 27.
Ocean Grove also gave up up six goals in the opening term against Barwon Heads in round four.
“We’ve played some really good footy early in games this season, but the last two weeks teams have scored heavily on the back of our early mistakes,” coach Dave Farrell said.
“While their pressure is at its highest we seem to be our most nervous. The more the group plays together and experience these guys get under that sort of pressure the better they will be for it.”
Modda duo Tom Hornsey (five goals) and Connor Joseph (four) proved the difference between the two sides.
The rebuilding Grubbers are yet to win this season.
“The playing group has a lot of confidence in the method we are developing and is committed to sticking to the task,” Farrell said.
“We ask they not retreat defensively or play to the scoreboard but to continue to work on their game and a style we think when we get right is really competitive.
“I’m yet to see any side play the perfect game but we’re always hopeful the next one will be. The character of the players was pretty telling after quarter time as there would have been many more experienced outfits six goals down at quarter time wave the white flag.”
Farrell said the young Ocean Grove outfit would welcome travelling to Queens Park this weekend for a clash against Geelong Amateur in front of a premiership reunion crowd.
“It’s a big week for the Ammos with past players and premiership celebrations planned,” he said.
“We’re excited by the opportunity to play in front of another big crowd and expose our players to some of the most experienced and talented players in the comp this week.”
Ocean Grove won the reserves match by five goals and is in the top five. Ollie Monteith, Rowan Hore and Ryan Cook were best in the 12.6(78) to 7.6(48) win. Fletcher Long and Joe Pierce each booted two goals.
Meanwhile Barwon Heads coach Sam Schaller said Ocean Grove was on the right track after his side won the Battle of the Bridge game by 79 points in round four.
“You can see Ocean Grove are a young side, they are in good hands with Faz (Farrell) and his coaching group and they just need to stay the course and get some games together,” he said.
“When they had the game on their terms they were incredibly dangerous. They are a lot better than what it looks like on the ladder.”
SCOREBOARD
OCEAN GROVE vs MODEWARRE
Ocean Grove 1.0(6), 3.1(19), 7.5(47), 9.11(65)
Modewarre 6.3(39), 8.7(55), 11.8(76), 12.9(81)
GOALS: Ocean Grove – Brady Pritchard 3, Kye Annand 3, Ed Dayman 2, Campbell Snookes. Modewarre – Tom Hornsey 5, Connor Joseph 4, Scott Morter, Matthew Farrelly, Baxter Anderson.
BEST: Ocean Grove – Max Sutton, Edward Dayman, Kye Annand, Benjamin Bennett, Cameron Fowler, Jet Kneebone. Modewarre – Joshua Finch, Tom Hornsey, Matthew Farrelly, Baxter Anderson, Michael Harper, Thomas Duncan.
