GDFNL R16 wrap up

Inverleigh coach Adam Donohue (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)

Consistency saw Inverleigh stave off an early charge by Bannockburn at Morton Power Oval on Saturday to take a well-deserved 42-point win and move up to third place on the GDFNL ladder.

Bannockburn came out fighting and kicked six straight goals in the first quarter, to Inverleigh’s three goals and two behinds.

But then the Hawks took control kicking consistently for 28, 23 and 36 points, against 7, 9 and 13 for the Tigers, for a final score of 15.17 (107) to 10.5 (65).

In the closest game of the round, a dominant third quarter by Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve put paid to the hopes of Corio by 24-points in what was otherwise a fairly even contest.

The Blues scored 7.3 (45) to the Devils’ 3.2 (20) in the third term, which was enough for the win by almost the same margin, despite the Devils’ three goals to one in the final term, taking the win 11.11 (77) to 7.11 (53).

All other matches were veritable walkovers, with no surprise upsets.

GW Giants smashed Anakie at AA Semi Trailers Oval 20.18 (138) to 4.4 (28), while East Geelong took care of North Geelong 19.15 (129) to 7.3 (45) at Keith Barclay Oval.

Belmont was no match for top of the table Thomson at Thomson Rec Reserve, going down 7.9 (51) to 16.11 (107), while Werribee struggled against Bell Post Hill at Symal Oval, losing 12.14 (86) to 23.9 (147).

The make-up of the final five is anything but certain, with only two rounds to go.

Thomson remains on top of the ladder, just one win ahead of Bell Post Hill, with the two meeting in the final round.

The last time they met, in Round 7, the Panthers scored a thrilling one-point win over the Tigers.

Inverleigh and East Geelong are third and fourth respectively, separated only by percentage, while Bannockburn is fifth and Werribee in sixth still has a slim chance of making the finals.