Clark inspires Ocean Grove

by PAUL DAFFEY

OCEAN GROVE added another chapter to a remarkable decade of success last weekend when, for the second consecutive year, it overcame an undefeated rival to win the Bellarine league premiership.

Having defeated Drysdale in the grand final last year, the Grubbers rebounded from a nine-point deficit at the last change to defeat Geelong Amateurs by nine points in a dramatic decider at Drysdale.

Coach Mark Neeld, the former Geelong and Richmond utility, used an injury that captain Damian Clark had received early in the match to spur the Grubbers to their fourth consecutive flag and their eighth in 11 consecutive grand finals. Clark was knocked out and had his jaw broken and his collarbone broken 10 minutes into the game.

At three-quarter-time, Neeld put the midfielder's No. 14 guernsey on the ground in the middle of the huddle and described the sacrifices Clark had made for the club.

All players lifted, with Liam Rock, an 18-year-old rover, kicking three of his four goals against the breeze in the last quarter to rally the Grubbers.

Clark was on the podium to accept the premiership cup after his wife, Melanie, drove him back to the ground from the Geelong hospital.

In the Ballarat League, Daylesford's three unanswered goals in the first quarter proved decisive in its first semi final victory, 6.12 (48) to 5.7 (37), over Melton South at the Eastern Oval, Ballarat. Daylesford centre half back Leigh Nolan was the dominant player on a freezing afternoon that suited the club known to Ballarat old-timers as the Mountain Men.

Conditions were better at Wangaratta, where Corowa-Rutherglen, led by centreman Jock McFarlane, defeated Wodonga Raiders by 103 points in the Ovens and Murray League preliminary final.

In the Amateurs, Old Xaverians beat Old Scotch by 41 points in the A-section preliminary final at Elsternwick Park

And the results of the grand finals previewed last weekend on australianrules.com.au were as follows...

Merbein 15.16 (106) d Mildura Imps 11.10 (76), with Merbein midfielder Matthew Hooker best on ground

Parkside 11.8 (74) d Spotswood 10.9 (69)

Fitzroy Reds 12.9 (81) d Peninsula Old Boys 9.12 (66)

Pearcedale 18.9 (117) d Bonbeach 7.4 (46)

Apollo Bay 5.13 (43) d Lorne 4.8 (32)

Balwyn 17.16 (118) d St Paul's, East Bentleigh, 14.7 (91), with Matthew Banks kicking four goals and being named among the best.

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