www.oceangrovevoice.com
Ocean Grove Voice, July 15-28, 2009 - Page 27
grubbers
Hard yakka to September By MARK HEENAN OCEAN Grove missed another vital opportunity to claim a major BFL scalp, suffering a humiliating 82-point defeat at the hands of Geelong Amateur at Queens Park on Saturday. Amateur won 21.17.143 to Ocean Grove’s 9.7.61. The loss was a blow to the Grubbers’ finals aspirations following an embarrassing 92-point defeat to second-placed Drysdale in Round 11. The Grubbers now fall back to fifth spot on the BFL ladder after Torquay cruised to a 50-point win over Barwon Heads and jumped into fourth position. Ocean Grove coach Matt Payne blasted his players in the rooms after the match and its failure to put on 20 blocks for the game, a projected target. Co-coach Greg Mervin agreed
his players failed dismally on the big stage against arguably the premiership favourites. While the Grubbers led by 11 points at the first break, Geelong Amateur outscored the visitors by 93 points after quarter time. “Today our effort just wasn’t where it should be,” A disappointed Mervin said after the match. “We talk about our effort all the time, so there is no excuse not to bring your A-Grade effort to the game. “I don’t know whether the group actually believes it can win big games of footy. “I think at times we hide behind that excuse and we shouldn’t be. “We should have the courage to change what you want, give everything you got to win, and if you are not good enough then so be it.” Geelong Amateur displayed why it is a premiership force
with leading forward Damien Zaparenkov kicking seven goals, while Trent Mcarlein chipped in with four majors and Kristian Bucovaz starred with three goals. Even without the silky skills of Amateur captain Tim Clark, who was named in the original starting side but didn’t play, the home side put on a show for its adoring fans at Queens Park. Mervin said his team had no answers to Amateur’s all conquering run and its bigger bodies after quarter time. “Once the opposition seems to shut us down we (Ocean Grove) don’t have a response,” he said. “At the moment there is just not that inner resolve to say we are going to grind this out.” On the upside Ocean Grove debutant Harrison Foott made a sparkling impact in the ruck and contested well around the ground. “He played a really good
disciplined game for us and did a good job, so he will stay in, he’ll play next week,” said Mervin, who was full of praise for the youngster. Foott, 18, a member of Ocean Grove’s Under 18 premiership team in 2008, was eligible to play after his regular team Geelong College had a bye on the weekend. Grubber forward duo Paul Breguet and Matt Jovanovic both kicked three goals apiece. Meanwhile Ocean Grove Football club statistician Peter Keating has informed me Grubber on-baller Mark Laidler accumulated a staggering 53 possessions in Round 12 against Newcomb. This Saturday sees Ocean Grove play host to Barwon Heads in the battle of the bridge match. Senior match starts at 2:10pm.
Trailer Sales
. Made to order or standard . Tool Trailers . Plant Trailers . Reconditioning