As Anglesea moved to within two points at Ray Menzies Oval on Saturday, most of the crowd could have been forgiven for thinking that Ocean Grove had played well, but was about to be overrun by a more experienced side.
But nobody told the players that.
The Grubbers would kick two late goals before the siren and eventually go on to record an ultra-impressive 17.8(110) to 10.9(69) win.
It was Ocean Grove’s second win for the season after losing nine straight.
Coach Dave Farrell said he was proud of his players for absorbing that late third-quarter pressure.
“It was a nervous period for everyone and I am sure the guys on ground felt the pressure but showed maturity beyond what they are credited with by sticking to the task,” he said.
“Often in that situation players with only the best intentions get pulled out of structure and go away from their role to try and influence the outcome. We’ve done a lot of work in this area and the boys showed great trust in each other to stick to their guns.”
Not only did the Grubbers absorb that pressure, they picked up their game and booted the first two goals of the final term.
When Ryan Baker goaled for the Seas at the nine-minute mark, the deficit was just 15 points and it looked like a thriller was about to play out.
Jye Walker replied almost immediately and youngster Jack Connolly kicked truly at the 14-minute mark. A stalemate occurred in the ensuing minutes, but Tyson Ruck and Josh Lange made certain of the win to the delight of the large past-players contingent in the crowd.
Ayden Gras booted four goals for Anglesea to take his season’s tally to 50, but the combined efforts of teenagers Jamison Hallam and Hugo Walsh kept the star forward relatively in check.
“We left the role to be shared between Jami and Hugo after seeing so much footy go through Gras over the last few weeks,” Farrell said.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity for them to work together on positioning as primary defender and support as secondary. For a 17- and 18-year-old to grasp that and work so well together on the day was really encouraging.”
Playing co-coach Nick Bourke said the leadership group rallied when Ocean Grove was challenged in the third quarter.
“It’s always great to add some senior players to the side and I feel like they were pivotal for us when Anglesea got on a bit of a run,” he said.
“The kids have been incredible all year for us (and) with a lot of our older players and leaders being injured, they have stood up and played big roles for us all year.
“And I think we saw the reward for that yesterday for them and us as a team. They are the future of the club and so happy to see them rewarded yesterday.”
The Grubbers face Queenscliff this week. In the corresponding game earlier in the season, Grove was held to just two behinds for the first three quarters.
“Next week provides us with another great opportunity against a side that’s in some really good form,” Bourke said.
“We showed on the weekend that our method we have been working really hard on over the last few weeks in particular can match it with the best, so we are looking forward to the challenge this week.”
DRYSDALE’S topsy turvy season continued, but this time in a good way with a 19-point win against a red-hot Queenscliff. Key defender Jack Jenkins again led the way for the Hawks while Tyler Monahan booted two goals and was best for the Coutas.
PORTARLINGTON came back from 30 points down at the last change to defeat Modewarre by five. Ruckman Scott Greenhough was instrumental for the Demons.
TORQUAY thrashed an injury-hit Barwon Heads by 42 points with midfielder Matt Boag best while No 20 pick in the 2008 National Draft Tom Swift was best for the Seagulls.
MITCH Day booted eight goals for Geelong Amateur in a 65-point win against Newcomb while Jack Duke slotted five for the Power.
