Normally a game between the bottom two sides with a combined percentage of less than 20 would not be on a lot of footy pundits’ radar.
But Saturday’s clash between Geelong Football League cellar dwellers Lara and North Shore was not only a good game to watch, it was close and filled with emotion.
After a tumultuous off-season and fighting for its very survival, North Shore claimed the points at Bisinella Oval, Lara, 15.18(108) to 13.16(94) amid jubilant celebrations.
The Cats clawed the margin to just three points at the 27-minute mark of the final quarter, but the Seagulls booted the final two goals of the game in a show of character.
“That shows a bit of maturity, and especially from the leadership group,” North Shore coach Mark Hounslow said.
“They jumped in there and took it upon themselves to finish the game off. I just kept saying to the boys ‘we have to keep scoring’. Don’t go into safe mode because when you do, when teams get momentum like that they eventually get overrun’.
“We had to keep trying to score, but for the leaders to go in there and do something about it was sensational and that’s what you want from them. When they see a stage of the game arise like that, they’ve got to step up and they did.”
It’s not completely unfair to suggest that the Seagulls’ next chance of a win won’t come until the final round when they host Lara in the return game.
But for Hounslow, the win meant more than just four points for the club.
“It’s massive – so many people put their heart and soul into that club,” he said.
“The players just keep showing up and our numbers have been around the 45 to 50 mark, 80 registered.
“I know it seems a bit ridiculous with all the losses, but everyone’s remained upbeat. We know where we’re at. I understood this year was going to be tough, but it just means so much to so many people.”
Undersized makeshift ruckman Jacob Sammut-Miljevic was simply superb. While youngster Andrew Taylor returned from an ankle injury, he played predominantly forward and Oscar McAusland (travelling) won’t be available until after the bye, Sammut-Miljevic has stepped up in a big way.
“He was huge,” Hounslow said.
“I’d prefer he was on ball, but at the moment he’s just like an extra mid. He’s got a great leap and he just led from the front again. He has every game to be honest with you, but he remains upbeat and he knows where we’re heading.”
NEWTOWN & Chilwell dug deep to knock over a gallant Colac by 11 points. Reigning best and fairest Braden Hocking was superb for the Eagles as was Gennaro Bove, who was in the best for the third consecutive match.
TOP side St Joseph’s defeated Bell Park by 23 points with key defender Liam Betson and midfielder Al Hickey starring.
STAR midfielder Sam James was instrumental in South Barwon’s superb nine-point win against St Mary’s. Dangerous forward Jesse Travaglini was best for St Mary’s, which has lost two of its past three games.
GEELONG West came from 31 points down at the last change to defeat Grovedale by a point. A behind at the 33-minute mark of the final term gave the Giants the win with Lachlan Taylor dominating while Tom Gillett booted six goals for the Tigers.
