If ever the final scoreboard didn’t tell the full story of a footy match, it was probably illuminated for all to see in fading darkness at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval on Saturday.
As the sun was about to set, the bright lights of the southern end scoreboard indicated a 54-point to the away side.
Anglesea booted 17.7(109) to Ocean Grove’s 8.7(55) and indeed it was a comfortable win for a vastly improved side that could achieve special things in the future.
However, the real story was that the Roos had to dig deep to brush aside a young Ocean Grove side that is probably a few years off being where their opponents are.
The Grubbers kept nipping at the heels of Anglesea for three quarters until the travelling team kicked into gear and ran away with an impressive victory to cement third spot on the ladder, level on points with Drysdale.
“We were really pleased to three-quarter time, we had been cleaner in the contest and more predictable to one another than the previous week, but went away from that in the final quarter when the game was there to be won,” Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell said.
“Anglesea are going really well, they’ve added some top end talent in the offseason and have a healthy list. To match it with them and dictate for periods of the game shows we are close and when we stitch it together we will start to bank some more wins.”
Ocean Grove’s defence again stood up to a stern test until the floodgates opened with key back Rhys Hobbs outstanding on the last line of defence.
“Hobbsy played as our deepest defender and didn’t give an inch all day,” Farrell said.
“He understands his role and his strengths and plays to both of them very well each week.”
Hitting the scoreboard is something the Grubbers need to work on in the second half of the season although Brady Pritchard continued his superb season with three goals on Saturday to take his tally to 18.
“We have spoken a bit about our offence the last couple of weeks,” Farrell said.
“We have worked super hard to establish control in our back half, our contest and around the ground stoppage work is still strong but offensively being able to string chains of possession together is where we need to improve now and definitely an area we are looking to develop. We are just giving the ball back to the opposition way too much.”
Ocean Grove travels to Moriac this week to take on Modewarre in a winnable game and while finals are probably off the radar now, Farrell said there is little focus on September action.
“It’s a great competition, obviously there are some outliers at the top of the ladder that we are all chasing but a win next week and we can possibly turn at the halfway mark in sixth, that’s how close the competition is,” he said.
“For our group right now there is a narrowed focus on developing our game and confidence when we get it right the wins will come consistently.
“It would be awesome if we can do that in the back half of the season and put ourselves in the mix to extend our season but for now we don’t look as far ahead as finals.”
Anglesea proved too good in the reserves game. Ocean grove led by six points at the first break but would go goalless for the remainder of the match for a 57-point loss.
Despite the loss, Ocean Grove is in fifth spot with just a small amount of percentage separating it and this week’s opponent Modewarre.
