Geelong local footy: Devon Smith’s matchwinning cameo, Lara receive points boost from AFL Barwon

A familiar former AFL star was back in action in local footy, and his performance was ultimately the difference. Plus, a club has received a boost from AFL Barwon and a powerhouse slumped to another loss.

Devon Smith in action for Lara last year. Picture: Mark Wilson

A familiar ex-AFL star helped the Geelong & District reigning premiers to victory, a struggling Geelong league has been boosted with extra player points, and a Bellarine powerhouse is in some rare strife.

Find out all the talking points from Saturday’s action.

1. EX-AFL STAR’S MATCWHINNING GDFNL CAMEO

The reigning premiers had the luxury of adding 182-games of AFL experience ahead of its crunch clash against Bannockburn.

Former Essendon and GWS star and current golf pro Devon Smith was the difference for Thomson in their nailbiting two-point win over Bannockburn with four of Thomson’s seven goals.

Smith departed Lara last year to focus on his burgeoning golf pursuits.

The Bombers best-and-fairest was regularly racking up monster possession tallies as playing coach of Lara last season in the Geelong league, so it will be interesting to see what the Premier Data stats say this time.

Devon Smith is now a golf pro Picture: Supplied

2. LARA’S HELPING HAND FROM AFL BARWON

Lara will play with two additional player points for the remainder of the season in a change that has been welcomed by the club.

The club met with AFL Barwon on Wednesday after a disappointing start to the season where it was decided the Cats would play with 46 points from round six, up from 44 under the tiered system introduced by the peak body.

There will be no changes to Lara’s salary cap.

Lara coach Brett Henderson called for dramatic changes to player points and salary caps to help struggling clubs across Victoria.

Lara used up 40 of its allotted 46 points in their 119-point loss to Colac, but former North Melbourne big man Majak Daw did not play due to a knee injury.

The extra points should also allow Werribee VFL listed midfielder Daly Andrews to feature for the Cats.

It sounds strange to say, but their loss to Colac was a step in the right direction considering their recent results.

Lara coach Brett Henderson. Picture: Mike Dugdale

3. FRIDGE OPENS ACCOUNT WITH A WIN

The Geelong league grand final rematch saw a ‘Fridge’ in his first game as a senior coach up against a former AFL coach, and the novice won.

Leopold assistant Tim Connolly – known as ‘Fridge’ by all and sundry at Leopold - replaced new Lions coach Luke Kelly in the hot seat for the their clash against South Barwon’s Mark Neeld, with Kelly pulling out due to work commitments.

Kept quiet from the playing group until last week, Connolly knew he’d be interim coach for this match since the start of the season.

Connolly handled the challenge with ease as his side stormed home, turning a five-point three-quarter-time lead into a 42-point victory to bring up the Lions’ eighth consecutive win over South Barwon.

Coach on the day Tim Connolly celebrated by the players after the siren. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“I’ve never coached an open age team myself, so this was a little bit of baptism fire, the grand final rematch,” Connolly told this masthead.

“But it’s a pretty good playing group, which makes the transition a bit easier.”

“Their box had a bit more experience than ours, but it was good fun. It’s a good challenge and very, very enjoyable.”

Connolly has benefited from 10 years under local coaching great Steve Clark and a few seasons under Garry ‘Buddha’ Hocking at the Lions.

He aimed to make his one game in charge light hearted and his overall message was simple.

“Just go out, play with some freedom, have fun, what will be,” Connolly said.

4. TIGER TROUBLE

Torquay had lost three games in the last two seasons.

The Tigers have now lost three of their first seven matches of the season after Drysdale defeated them at home by 25 points, seeing them slump to fifth.

Torquay had a very handy inclusion as well in Morrish medallist Paddy Hughes, who had been with Geelong VFL since he bagged six goals against Ocean Grove in round three last year.

It is not panic stations yet, but the improved Queenscliff looms large next week.

The Coutas mean business this year with an upset win over flag favourites Geelong Amateur and they thumped Portarlington by 102 on Saturday, so the Tigers will have to bring their A-game.

There are no easy games in the Bellarine this season, but Newcomb and Ocean Grove await Torquay after that, which can help the Tigers get back on track

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson has some rare headaches. Picture: Mark Wilson

5. EVEN GDFNL

If we didn’t know it already, Geelong West’s tight loss over the Belmont Lions emphasised just how even the Geelong & District league has become.

The Giants entered the round with a 1-5 record in second last spot on the ladder, yet led undefeated grand finalist Belmont at three-quarter-time by two points, which the Lions were able to chase down to win by 13 points.

Three games were decided by 13 points or less: Thomson knocked off Bannockburn by two and Anakie defeated Werribee Centrals by seven points, with the Centrals kicking 1.5 in the final term.

No sides were beaten by more than 50 points across the six games. Meanwhile in the Geelong league, three of the five games were decided by 60 points or more — the most significant of those a 130-point defeat for North Shore against Grovedale.

Originally published as Geelong local footy: Devon Smith’s matchwinning cameo, Lara receive points boost from AFL Barwon