By Justin Flynn
There is a renewed sense of optimism at Anakie.
Last season the Roos broke a long Geelong & District Football League losing streak that stretched back to round 17, 2019 and on Saturday, April 20 broke through for their first victory in 308 days by defeating Werribee Centrals in round three.
Leading by eight points at the last break, Anakie ran away with the game to win by 26 points at home.
Coach Jayke Mawson said the message was simple.
“Everyone has been writing about winning one game in three years and everyone has something to say about Anakie so now it’s time to buck the trend and to really dig deep and show the league and show yourself that we’re not here to be easy beats anymore and they can’t just expect to come to Anakie and win,” he said of his three-quarter time address.
“So believe in yourself. Believe in each other and be able to look everyone in the eye when you come off the ground and say to the other 21 that you’ve given everything you’ve got.”
Mawson said it would take time for his new-look side to fully jell, but it was already starting to happen.
“It’s slowly starting to come together now, but we had nine changes on the weekend,” he said.
“So until we can get that core group and not make too many changes each week, which is a work in progress for myself trying to find out the best balance and the best structure with our backline, midfield, forwardline then it’ll take me a bit of time to figure it out.
“But I think within the next few weeks we should be able to get a better look at it and then hopefully by mid year we will have a bit of stability with the 22 on the park.”
Similarly Mawson said it would take a while for the mindsets to change from hoping to win each week to expecting to win.
“With the North Geelong, and Bannockburn game to a certain degree, they sort of get into this mindset of ‘we’re going to get run over here’ or ‘this is going to happen’ so it’s definitely something in the back of their minds,” he said.
“Hopefully with this win they will realise that they are good enough.”
The Roos turn their attention to Geelong West this Saturday.
“They’ve obviously got some good players and they’ve had a few injuries,” Mawson said.
“They’ve got a few out, but we’re definitely not going there and take that for granted. We’re just hoping to back it up, put in four-quarter effort, bring that intensity and tackling pressure and then hopefully the result takes care of itself.”
CORIO is on the board with an impressive 42-point win against Bell Post Hill. Toby Bennett was best afield while Brock Cervenka booted four goals and Joel Bennett and Herschelle Carr each kicked three.
THOMSON managed only one goal in the second half, but hung on to defeat Bannockburn by four points. Thomson booted 13 goals in a blistering first half, but Bannockburn reeled the deficit in with eight goals to one after the break. Jed Hanneysee kicked four for the winners.
EAST GEELONG won a close one against Inverleigh by four points. Jaydan McLauchlan was best on ground while Austin Mulvahil booted four goals.
BELMONT defeated Geelong West by 40 points and is the only unbeaten team in the comp. Defender Corey Jarrad was superb while Ben Evans kicked four majors.
NORTH GEELONG defeated Winchelsea by 11 points with Dylan Fisher starring in his 150th game. The Magpies are in fourth spot on the ladder while Winch is the only winless side after three rounds.
