Colac Tigers beat Bell Park Dragons in round 3 GFL action
Plenty of players had leather poisoning in the GFL as the numbers for five games of Round 3 are revealed. Check out the weekend WRAP & STATS.
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Testing a premiership contender early in the match, the Dragons looked like causing a round 3 upset and forcing Colac to its worst start since 2013.
But the resilient Tigers outfit rallied in the second half, extending its four-point buffer at the main break to run out 53-point winners 15.15 (105) to 7.10 (52).
Colac co-coach Darcy Lang said the change of fortunes came as the side began to retain possession more easily.
“The first half was a bit of a grind,” he said.
“They were matching us with their intensity in the contest and around the ground, and they made it really hard for us to break away from the contest cleanly.
“But after half time we were able to retain possession, play that chip-chip style of footy that we like, and managed to find good avenues to goal with our forwards working well together.”
Bell Park led at the first break, kicking 4.5 (29) to 3.4 (22), but only managed three goals after quarter time.
Dragons coach Shane Jack said it was a disappointing start to the season, but his side had faced a tough month of football in the early rounds.
“Colac is a really good side, in the first half we played a pretty good brand of footy, we tested them around the ball but their midfield dominance was clear in the second half,” he said.
“We had an okay game against Newtown, but to be honest we haven’t hit our straps yet, we’re quite a young side with some under-19s boys who are developing nicely but still finding their feet at the level.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what this team can show.”
GEELONG WEST GIANTS v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL
Newtown & Chilwell remained unbeaten after three rounds, downing Geelong West Giants 16.14 (110) to 8.15 (63).
Forward Lachlan Bond led all goal scorers with three, while Eagles Mitch Diamond, Ned Harris, Jai Sheahan and Lachlan Waddell had two majors each, as did Giants Jacson Collins and David Peel.
ST ALBANS v LEOPOLD
Leopold had a win against St Albans despite trailing by 22 points at quarter time.
The Lions eventually ran out 14.20 (104) to 7.5 (47) winners, with forwards James Edmonds and Mitch Patten kicking three goals each in the win.
ST MARY’S v NORTH SHORE
North Shore pushed St Mary’s for much of the game before eventually losing 19.15 (129) to 11.9 (75).
The Seagulls trailed by 10 points at the final break, but an eight-goal-to-one final term gave the Saints plenty of breathing room.
Saints forward Pat Dowling kicked four goals, while Sam Bourke and Jay Dahlhaus slotted three each.
LARA v GROVEDALE
Grovedale recorded its first win of 2022 with a 14.12 (96) to 8.19 (67) win against Lara.
Tiger pair Mitch Chafer and Cameron Delaney kicked three goals each, while midfielder Cassidy Parish slotted two majors in the win.
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Originally published as Colac Tigers beat Bell Park Dragons in round 3 GFL action
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