North Geelong reached its first Geelong & District Football League grand final in a decade after a huge final-quarter effort against East Geelong in the second semi-final at St Albans Reserves on Saturday.
The Magpies won just one game in 2023, but second-year coach Peter Riccardi has taken this list and built something special in just two seasons.
Scores were level at the last break, but a four goal to one final term gave North Geelong the win by 18 points.
Tom Schwennesen was superb in the midfield while the injury plagued Jasper George was firing and John Fazio booted three goals.
The Magpies await the winner of Saturday’s preliminary final between East Geelong and Bell Post Hill in the grand final.
For the Eagles, defender Jayden Fanning was superb and reigning best and fairest John McIntyre was again among the action.
Bell Post Hill confined Belmont Lions to a straight sets exit from the finals thanks to a blistering eight-goal third quarter.
The Panthers were up by a point at half-time and sprung into action in the second half with the first five goals to eventually run out 29 point victors.
The Lions tried desperately to get themselves back into the contest in the last term, but could muster just one goal and eight behinds.
Midfielder Dylan Witney, the classy Dylan Godwin and Nick Costello (four goals) all played major roles in the win for Bell Post Hill.
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Saturday September 13, St Albans Reserve
Seniors: East Geelong vs Bell Post Hill, 2pm
Reserves: Werribee Centrals vs North Geelong, noon
Under 18 Division 3: Werribee Centrals vs Torquay, 10am
