Bell Park coach James Saker says his team’s belief is growing after Saturday’s 36-point win over reigning premier Leopold consolidated its spot inside the GFNL top five.
The Dragons improved to 6-1 and opened up an eight-point buffer on fifth-placed South Barwon, Newtown & Chilwell (6th) and the Lions (7th) with the 12.10 (82) to 6.10 (46) result at Hamlyn Park.
“We’ve beaten now four teams that finished above us on the ladder last season in the first seven games,” Saker told krockfootball.live after the game.
“So, I think it shows progress. But, I also said to the guys, ‘It should give you belief. Especially the way we were challenged’.
“In each of those four games I’ve referenced, we’ve won them in a different manner.
“Colac, we kept our nose in front. (Geelong West) Giants, we just hung on. Newtown, (we) come from the clouds.
“Today, I didn’t think we were ever out of it. But, we weren’t frontrunning for much of the game, but we did manage to turn it our way.”
Leading by 17 points at half-time, Bell Park conceded three consecutive goals as Leopold made the most of the breeze to claim a narrow lead.
However, goals from star duo Hamish Lucas and Ben Worme late in the term wrested back the advantage for the Dragons that they hammered home with a 5.5 to 1.2 final term.
Despite claiming its biggest scalp of the season, Saker isn’t getting carried away.
“We’re also under no illusion that we’re not a finished product,” he said. “We don’t think we’re going to be a top one, two or three side.
“But, if we keep working hard at what we’re good at, and keep showing up each week with stuff that we know works … our aim is to be in every game we play and show improvement, and we’ve done that so far.
“The challenge is to keep that going.”
Worme finished with three goals, brother James kicked two, as did Lucas and 50-gamer Jack Sarcevic.
The Dragons’ only downside was youngster Rhys McWaters’s concussion, which, under the new protocols, will see him miss games against Grovedale and South Barwon.
Leopold’s only multiple goalkicker was Billy Ritchie with two.
The score was the Lions’ equal-lowest under Garry Hocking.
Speedster Mitch Burgess suffered what appeared to be a lower leg injury after being brought down in tackle by Dragons big man Ollie Bridgewater during the third quarter.
The Lions, who sit seventh, should right the ship in the next fortnight with meetings against the struggling North Shore and St Albans before taking on grand final opponent South Barwon in Round 10.
Grovedale has won its first game under Jacob Spolding after overcoming inaccuracy and a dogged St Albans for a seven-point victory at Burdoo Reserve, 10.19 (79) to 11.6 (72).
The Tigers looked to have done enough when they led by 14 points at three-quarter time.
However, the Supersaints kicked the only two goals of the final term, providing some late nerves for the home team.
Veteran skipper Nathan Deans kicked three goals as part of a typically inspirational midfield performance.
Brothers Ethan and Noah Guida showed they’ll be handy mid-season additions for St Albans.
Playing their first and second games for the Supersaints, respectively, both kicked three goals.
After suffering a one-point loss to Bell Park before the bye, Newtown & Chilwell has found itself on the right end of a thriller in beating Geelong West by seven points at West Oval.
Despite opening the match with nine behinds, the Eagles found their radar and posted a 10.17 (77) to 10.10 (70) victory.
Luke Maddock’s reinvention as a forward continues to pay dividends for the Towners, with three goals taking his tally to 24 for the season.
Lachie Horniblow kicked three goals for the Giants to move to 21 majors.
An eight-goal to-two second quarter proved the difference as Colac overcame an improved Lara by 61 points at Bisinella Oval.
Leading by just five points at quarter time, the Tigers took control of the match before half-time before claiming a 20.19 (139) to 12.6 (78) result.
League-leading goalkicker Adam Garner and star Darcy Lang kicked four goals for Colac.
Veteran Cats forward Mitch Day wound back the clock with a seven-goal effort.
A nine-goal opening quarter burst ensured South Barwon had no issues with North Shore at McDonald Reserve.
The Swans then cruised to a 19.20 (134) to 4.9 (33) win to jump into the top five at the expense of grand final conqueror Leopold.
Fraser Fort kicked four goals, while Taylor Mulraney, Will Sexton and Harry Cunningham contributed three apiece.
