Belmont, a lot like Collingwood, just knows how to win the close games.
Six of the Lions’ wins this season have been by 13 points or less, including Saturday’s round 11 clash against fellow contender North Geelong.
Belmont sits a game clear on top of the Geelong & District Football League ladder after the 13-point nailbiter at Winter Reserve.
Scores were level at three-quarter time and the final term was an arm wrestle. The Magpies led by two points at the 20-minute mark, but the Lions goaled at the 24-minute mark and then at 35 minutes to seal the win.
“We only kicked away late,” co-coach Andy Walsgott said.
“We kicked the last two goals of the game, but I thought the way we handled the last quarter with a little bit of experience that we’ve had from the finals played last year and some big games just in terms of managing the game and how we wanted the game to look, we were able to execute that.
“So that was probably the most pleasing part that we were able to put a few things we wanted into place. We kicked a goal 30 seconds to go. So even though we were able to play the way we wanted to there was still a kick in it with a minute to go.
“So that’s just a testament to how good a side they (North Geelong) are that it’s just a game of inches at times.”
Belmont has battled injury concerns this season with Corey Jarrad out for the season with an ACL and ruckmen Noah Houtsma and Jake Wood also missing.
“We probably haven’t been playing our best footy since the first couple of rounds,” Walsgott said.
“And then to add that to have a pretty decent injury list, that was a massive win for us.”
The Lions now turn their attention to a trip east on the Princes Freeway to face Werribee Centrals at Galvin Park. Belmont won the round 1 encounter by three points.
The Centurions remain dangerous despite sitting in 9th position with a 4-7 win-loss record.
“They should have beaten us round one,” Walsgott said.
“They missed a host of chances themselves. They’re still a really good footy side, they have the same players they had last year and another year under (Rhyce) Prismall.
“It’s always really close between us two so we’re expecting it to go down to the wire again Saturday.”
THOMSON kept in touch with the top three with a hard-fought 24-point win against Werribee Centrals. Darcy Troop (three goals) was best afield and Jed Hanneysee booted six majors.
ANAKIE moved to within a game of the top five with a 21-point win against Inverleigh. Star forward Andrew Boseley booted six goals for the Roos while Jarod Bacon kicked five for Inverleigh.
BELL Post Hill stayed in the five with a 19-point triumph against Bannockburn with Dylan Witney best on ground.
GEELONG West got the win against Corio, but not before a four goal to none final term saw the Devils get close. Brayden Mitchell was best for the Giants and midfielder Russell Cowan best for Corio.
EAST Geelong defeated Winchelsea by 62 points with Zac Smith bagging five goals and coach Ned Aulsebrook leading from the front.
