Bellarine Anzac Day games head to Drysdale

AN ANNUAL fixture since 2008, the Bellarine Football Netball League’s Anzac Day clash will see traditional rivals Drysdale and Portarlington meet again on Tuesday at Drysdale Recreational Reserve.

Sharing an abundance of Anzac Day history, the two Bellarine towns will invite RSL representatives, local dignitaries and thousands of spectators to Mortimer Oval for a commemorative pre-game ceremony a moment before the game that has a profound affect on players such as Demons captain Stephen “Bear” Walton.

“It’s the silence that motivates you on the day,” Walton said.

“With everyone there together, it’s all silent, then they bring out the cannon, it’s a surreal experience.

“Yeah, you’re paying your respects but you’re also getting pumped up knowing there are some great people watching you and you just can’t wait to get out there and showcase a great game of football.”

Portarlington fell by 127 points to the Hawks in last year’s Anzac Day contest, but Walton believes his side still has a lot to give come Tuesday.

“We’re gelling together and having a bit of fun at the moment, we had a ‘handing-to’ against Ocean Grove last week, but we continue to cut our margins against sides,” Walton said.

“We’re just continuing to take the positives out of the contests, and we had a chance to see our new full-forward Tom Richardson in the wet, and he showed good form, so hopefully we get to see him show off some of his dry-ball skills.

“The group’s feeling good, it’s an exciting season for us and it’s an exciting round that’s for sure.”

Hawks captain Mitch McGuire admitted Drysdale had experienced a shaky start to 2023 – presently sitting sixth on the ladder with a win, a loss, and a draw – but said Anzac Day would bring out the best in the squad.

“Both football and netball pencil in Anzac Day, it’s big for us. The two towns coming together, it’s always a good clash, it doesn’t matter the ladder positions, both sides always tend to compete really well.

“For us, getting going, it will be nice to get some form going as we hope to build throughout the middle of the year.”

Drysdale also emerged victorious on Anzac Day away at Portarlington in the A Grade netball last year 74-36, but Kaia Giles is under no illusions that Tuesday was just another game.

“We’re currently on one win and two losses, but also coming off a win against an impressive Queenscliff side, so we know we have a challenge on our hands this coming week against Portarlington,” she said.

“Anzac Day is always a big occasion, and we always get a good support base for netball. The last few times we’ve met in this fixture, we have only got up in the last quarter or so, and we expect it’ll be similar this year as well.”

Portarlington’s Lauren Wood is no stranger either to playing in the Anzac Day clash.

“It’s really nice seeing the two towns coming together, especially given both Portarlington and Drysdale are quite close to one another, and it provides a chance for both club to remember what is really important,” Wood said.

“We have had a tough start to the season, but we are seeing some of our juniors coming up and it is really exciting to see them perform at the A Grade level.

“Anzac Day between ourselves and Drysdale is always a really good match and it’s always scrappy.”

A Grade netball begins at 1.50pm and seniors football starts at 2.10pm. The pre-game ceremony is scheduled to run from 1.30pm, featuring a gun salute, “The Last Post”, and a minute’s silence.