By Justin Flynn
It’s the clash that everyone involved with the Geelong & District Football League has been waiting for.
Top of the table, East Geelong vs Belmont, both on nine wins and one loss and barely six percent separating them on the ladder.
Belmont Lions go into the clash after a narrow loss to Werribee Centrals, but then powered to a 115-point win against Bell Post Hill.
Belmont coach Andy Walsgott said the Eagles are a fast outfit and that his side will need to be on top of its game.
“They’re pretty evenly spread – they get a lot of bounce off their half-backline,” he said.
“Jaydan (McLauchlan) and Jack Beardsell are high-quality players and they try and work the ball off half-back to try and get a bit of springboard and get it into their forwards in a quick manner.
“They’re not overly tall I don’t think so they need to rely on quality ball movement so that’ll be a key for us trying to stop that slingshot from half-back and stop that quick footy that they try and play. They’re tough on the inside, but I think they move the ball really well up against the outside.”
Walsgott said the Lions may look to quell the influence of East Geelong’s two star running defenders.
“We’ve had really high numbers of forward half turnovers this year, that’s been our strength, so we’ve definitely got guys who can do it, but we sort of naturally are a bit of a forward half turnover side so we’ll just see how that plays out,” he said.
“But definitely not against sending someone to Jaydan or Jack.”
Walsgott will come up against good mate and former Barwon Heads teammate Ned Auslebrook, who is coaching East Geelong this season.
“Even before the season I’ve been pencilling this in and to be at a point where we’re both nine and one heading into it is huge,” he said.
“It won’t be the be all and end all because we’ll probably play them again at some point so it won’t be toys out with the water if we don’t get it done, but we’ll certainly be going there and having a good crack and see where we’re at.”
Walsgott said there was a good vibe at Winter Reserve.
“Obviously when you’re winning, everything’s going well, but I always thought even last year when we were losing games, like it’s good, there’s just good people there,” he said.
“Good younger kids and the middle band as well and plenty of good people around the club.
“And I just think we’ve really added a few that are a little bit older, late 20s, and a really well-rounded playing list at the moment and I reckon and everyone’s happy to be there and invest.”
East Geelong vs Belmont Lions is on Saturday June 22 at Auswide Plumbing & Civil Oval (Richmond Oval), East Geelong, starting at 2pm.
