Habib heroics help North into second semi

North Geelong has broken a decade-long finals-win drought in dramatic fashion, with a late Mitch Habib goal edging out Belmont Lions by three points in Saturday’s GDFNL qualifying final.

The Magpies, who hadn’t tasted finals victory since their last grand final appearance in 2015, held on in a tense finish at 8.16 (64) to 9.7 (61), setting up a second semi-final clash with minor premier East Geelong.

Trailing by three points at the 33-minute mark, Habib juggled a mark at the top of the goal square before calmly going back and slotting what proved to be the match-winning major.

The ball returned to the middle of St Albans Reserve with around 30 seconds remaining. However, the Sherrin never left the centre square.

North Geelong looked in control early, bursting out with five first-quarter goals to lead by 19 points at the first break after kicking with the aid of a southerly breeze.

But as coach Peter Riccardi admitted post-game, poor kicking for goal left the door wide open.

“We’re probably our own worst enemy,” Riccardi said. “We had 24 scoring shots to 16, you think you’ve got the game in control, but we missed a lot of easy goals and left them in it.

“To Belmont’s credit, they got the sniff late and really came at us.”

The Lions, led by multiple goals from Josh Wilson, Mick Murdoch and Ben Evans, surged in the final term, snatching the lead with just minutes remaining.

Riccardi said composure was key for his largely inexperienced side, many of whom were playing their first senior final.

“We spoke before the game about how the intensity goes up another level,” he said.

“It probably took us 10 minutes to adjust, but once we got control we dominated large patches. We just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard,” he said.

“When Belmont hit the front late, we were lucky enough that Mitch took a mark about 15 out and snuck it through. It was pleasing because I think the side that deserved it probably won.”

Habib, along with Jacsen Jewell, Cooper Vaughan, Cooper Pasque, Ben O’Brien and Jasper George, was among the best for the Magpies.

Murdoch, Wilson, Lachie Slorach and James Beasley battled hard for the Lions.

Riccardi said the result was a testament to his side’s growth since he took over.

“If you told me two years ago we’d be playing in a second semi-final, I’d have said you’re kidding yourself,” he said.

“We’re not a finished product, but the group’s taken everything on board. They just go at it with grit and refuse to slow down.”

With two chances now to make the grand final, the Magpies are well ahead of schedule in their resurgence—but as Riccardi insists, they’re not just happy to be here.

“We are ahead of where I thought we’d be, but we’re all out to win it,” he said.

Belmont Lions will now turn their attention to a first semi-final meeting with the winners of today’s elimination final battle between Anakie and Bell Post Hill.