Two years after just avoiding a wooden spoon, North Geelong completed the quintessential rags to riches story with its first Geelong & District Football League premiership since 2013 on Saturday.
The Magpies avoided the 2023 spoon only through a final-round win and improved to just miss out on finals last year under first-year coach Peter Riccardi, but produced a stunning finals campaign this year to defeat East Geelong by 24 points at St Albans Reserve.
After a close and low-scoring first half, the Magpies gained control with three goals in the third term while keeping East to just one behind.
Luke Parker, who would claim best on ground honours, was a constant threat up forward and finished with four goals to be the only dual goal kicker for the game.
The Eagles had trouble penetrating the scoreboard, but when Jeremy Ollis booted their only major for the second half with a classy right-foot snap at the 13-minute mark, the difference was 19 points and there was still time for a comeback.
But Jacsen Jewell goaled on the boundary line at the 21-minute mark, the margin was back out to 24 points and the game was done.
North Geelong coach Peter Riccardi paid tribute to his opponent after the game.
“Firstly to East Geelong, you are the yardstick of the competition,” he said.
“There’s always got to be a winner and a loser and fortunately for us that’s the way it is. But hold your heads high – the way you go about it year after year, it won’t be far and you’re going to be up here. To Ned (Aulsebrook) and the boys, congratulations on your year, but I know you’re going to be disappointed, but celebrate hard and we’ll see you next year.
“To our boys, our supporters, thanks very much for the turnout, like the sea of black and white’s been amazing, walking through the doors and all you see is black and white, it’s awesome and got these guys over the line, I reckon.
“To Vanders (president Darren Vandenberg) and the committee, thanks very much for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach, really appreciate it.
“To our boys, to be honest, I didn’t think we’d be here so quick, but all your hard work you’ve done over the last two years. As I said before the game, we started training in October, so it’s almost 12 months, and this is the reward you get.”
East Geelong captain John McIntyre was classy in his speech.
“Well done North Geelong, you’ve beaten us four from four times this year,” he said.
“You deserve it, enjoy tonight, far too good today, well done.
“Thank you to the GDFNL for putting on the day. It gives us an opportunity to continue our footy careers. It’s a superbly run league.
”To us, I know you’ll be disappointed, but try and be proud of yourself tonight. The wider East Geelong community, thank you for all the support this year. Bad luck, but well done North Geelong.”
GRAND FINALS
North Geelong 1.4(10), 2.5(17), 5.7(37), 8.9(57)
East Geelong 1.3(9), 3.5(23), 3.6(24), 4.9(33)
GOALS: North Geelong – Luke Parker 4, Jacsen Jewell, Noah Billy, Oscar Riccardi, Rory Desnoy. East Geelong – Jeremy Ollis, Andrew Steele, Ryan Lempa, Caleb Lowndes.
BEST: North Geelong – Luke Parker, Jacsen Jewell, Jasper George, Samuel Reynolds, Noah Bily, Patrick Cleary. East Geelong – John McIntyre, Patrick O’Brien-Henderson, Jack Dickson, Jayden Fanning, Ryan Lempa, Samuel Lowe.
Reserves
East Geelong 4.2(26), 4.2(26), 4.3(27), 6.4(40)
Werribee Centrals 3.2(20), 3.2(20), 4.4(28), 5.4(34)
GOALS: East Geelong – Jonah Bowles 2, Chris Warwick 2, Noah Charman 2. Werribee Centrals – Daniel Skinner, Luke Cachia, Jordan Wilson, Ryan Young, Ben Leonard.
BEST: East Geelong – Lachlan Zimmer, Jude Payne, Ross Symonds, Bailey Payne, Ethan McDonald, Samson Brunt. Werribee Centrals – Luke Cachia, Zac Anthony, Henry Egan, Ryan Young, fletcher vesty, Bryce Campbell.
Under 18 Division 3
Torquay 1.1(7), 3.1(19), 4.6(30), 6.8(44)
South Barwon 1.0(6), 1.2(8), 2.4(16), 2.6(18)
GOALS: Torquay – Geordie Pitcher, Jaxon Farrelly, Wes Ansell, Jack Chadwick, Peter Christo, Zach Moreau. South Barwon – Liam Raven, Riley Lane.
BEST: Torquay – Jai Riordan, Fletcher Allmand, Peter Christo, James Prosser, Jack Nelson, Dylan Abbott. South Barwon – Hamish Taylor, Dominik Parigi, Jake Wilde, Bailey Evans, Harvey Durno, Riley Lane.
