By Justin Flynn
While Geelong District Football League finals seem out of the equation for Winchelsea, coach Christian Shaw isn’t completely giving up hope just yet.
The Blues are in seventh place on the ladder and play sixth placed Thomson this week and third placed Bannockburn the week after.
“It’s always been on the agenda so finals, while they are mathematically still on the table, our chances probably hinge on too many variables,” Shaw said.
“We just have to hope the dominoes fall our way.
“Both sides are above us on the ladder and they are going to be challenging and we know we need to be competitive against those teams.”
Fresh from a resounding 130-point win against Anakie, Winchelsea has won seven games this season, which has pleased Shaw.
“Really happy and pleased,” he said.
“We’re probably just ahead of expectations.”
Winch was well served by David Tucker and Leigh Ellis up forward on Saturday.
Tucker booted seven goals while Ellis contributed five.
“David Tucker and Leigh Ellis have been our focal points up forward pretty much the whole year,” Shaw said.
“We try and isolate them as much as we can.”
Shaw was also impressed with Brayden O’Hanlon, who had missed the previous three games through injury.
“He adds a lot of drive for us,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can rotate through the midfield. We bat pretty deep there.”
Shaw said the culture around the club was strong, led by life member Daniel Greskie and former coach Brendan Forssman.
“Brilliant clubs are built around brilliant people,” he said.
“We haven’t been a successful club but the next few seasons are promising.”
Inverleigh kept top spot with a 61-point win against Werribee Centrals with Matt Tyquin booting five goals in a best afield display.
Bannockburn climbed into third spot at the expense of Geelong West thanks to a 10-point win with skipper Daniel Measures best on ground.
North Geelong won a thriller against Corio by five points. Just seven goals were scored in the first three quarters, but both sides kicked six each in the last.
East Geelong thrashed Belmont by 140 points to keep knocking on the door of top spot. Jake Watson-Serle was the star with 10 goals.
Bell Post Hill is a game clear in fifth spot after a 10-point win against fellow finals contender Thomson. Vice-captain Jordan Schrader-Sabell was best afield.
