On a heavy ground with the most scenic of views across Albert Park Lake to the City, Brunswick NOBs did what they had to do to grind out a victory over an improved Power House outfit at Ross Gregory Oval on Saturday, in the process making it eight straight.

It was a slow start to proceedings. While the home side showed they wouldn’t be a pushover this time around, we seemed to sleep-walk our way through much of the first quarter, with our disposal betraying a lack of care and attention. It was Jordy Adkins who finally got us underway with his first goal for the club and a couple more late gave the scoreboard some respectability at the first break.

In the second term we served up more of the same until the last few minutes when we finally pieced together some nice passages of play which enabled our forwards to capitalise, particularly Nick Burgin and Dom Sullivan who were looking dangerous. The consistent Chris Ford also had an impact with two majors for the quarter.

Coach Palmer gave the players a not-so-gentle reminder at halftime of what was expected of a team with pretensions of having an impact in September and he got the desired response with a much better display in the third term that put the home side away. An intent to run the ball off halfback and a more direct approach to goals paid dividends with 5.4 to 1.0.

The start of the final quarter gave the Power House supporters something to cheer about as their full forward slammed on two goals in quick succession, but that would prove to be it, as we quelled their challenge and added a further four of our own, two of them to Burgin to take his personal tally to five. In the end we ran out 70-point winners, a pleasing result in the conditions.

In a real team effort, Burgin took the BOG honours, showing that he enjoyed the freedom of the forward-line. Sullivan was again the most exciting and creative player on display, while it was good to see Jed Carey back in form. Captain Danny King was very good all day off halfback, while Sean Gales and JP Perez were also prominent.

First-gamer Liam Van Gemst showed a lot of potential in the ruck and took a number of strong marks. Jordy Adkins also deserves special mention for his strong contribution in the middle of the ground which had him looking like he had emerged from the bottom of Albert Park Lake.

Glen Eira away are next and they will provide a stern test this Saturday. See you at the footy.