Roos charge into finals after thrilling comeback

Anakie has broken a 27-year finals drought, storming home to defeat Werribee Centrals by 10 points on Saturday and secure its first appearance at St Albans since 1998.

Trailing at every change, the Roos finished strongly at Galvin Park to claim a 14.14 (98) to 13.10 (88) victory.

The result capped a remarkable turnaround for Anakie, which looked out of finals contention after back-to-back losses to Corio and Geelong West in rounds 12 and 13, respectively.

“After those losses, I thought our season was done,” spearhead Andrew Boseley admitted.

“You just keep winning and hope for the best, and a couple of results went our way.

“Last night it dawned on me (we are playing finals),

“But the competitiveness in me says finals are hopefully just the start; we can hope to do something pretty special.”

Boseley was a standout, booting six goals to take his season tally to 73, while Luke Dahlhaus, Jay Alessi, and Paul Ridout added two each.

Dahlhaus was also prolific in the midfield along with Josh Mawson.

“I’m proud to improve on last year and contribute to putting us in finals,” Boseley said.

“It’s not lost on me how special that is for the club, the supporters and the volunteers who have stuck fat.”

The victory came the hard way, with Anakie forced to claw back a 23-point deficit in the second quarter before pulling away from the Centurions late.

“Our form against the top teams has been pretty good, but against sides we probably expected to beat, it hasn’t quite been there,” Boseley said.

“They had a pretty substantial lead on us at some point, but destiny was in our hands, and fortunately, we kept grinding away.

“It took us the full 120 minutes to get over the line.”

Boseley says coach Jayke Mawson was quick to remind his players of the significance of snapping the GDFNL’s longest finals drought.

“He’s a motivator,” Boseley said. “Us being written off at times, not expected to be there — he just instilled belief in this group.

“The occasion of not playing finals for 27 years wasn’t lost on us.

“He told us to enjoy it for what it is and get ready for the finals campaign.”

With wins over every other top-five side except East Geelong, Anakie will enter September with momentum and belief that it can challenge the competition’s best.

East Geelong overcame an early challenge from finals hopefuls Inverleigh to lock away its third minor premiership in four seasons.

The Eagles claimed a 56-point victory at Richmond Crescent, 14.16 (100) to 6.8 (44) to give themselves two chances at playing in a first grand final since 2012.

Star forward duo Caleb Ezard and Zac Smith kicked three goals apiece for East.

Jarod Bacon finished an impressive first season at the Hawks with two goals.

Second-placed Belmont Lions were given a first-half fright by Geelong West before turning on the afterburners in the second half to record an 87-point win at Winter Reserve.

The Lions led by a point at half-time following a seven-goal second term from the visitors.

However, the Lions, led by seven goals from spearhead Ben Evans, kicked six goals to two in the third quarter and nine goals to nil in the final term to claim a 21.20 (146) to 9.5 (59) victory.

North Geelong was ruthless in its dismantling of Winchelsea at Keith Barclay Oval, posting a 149-point victory.

The Magpies kept the Blues goalless until the third quarter, as they romped to a 27.14 (176) to 3.9 (27) victory.

North’s score was the highest, and the final margin was the most significant of the season across the competition.

Osca Riccardi kicked six goals for the Magpies, with John Fazio contributing five.

In the end, it didn’t matter, but Thomson finished off its injury-ravaged season with a 29-point victory over Bannockburn at Victoria Park, 11.22 (88) to 9.5 (59).

Trailing by 23 points at quarter-time, the City Tigers fought back to snatch a three-point lead at the final change.

Knowing its percentage would be crucial if Anakie had slipped up against Werribee Centrals, the reigning premier kicked 4.3 to 0.1 in the final term.

Whitley Medal contender Jordy Camm was again outstanding. He finished with four goals in another eye-catching display.

Bell Park recruit Harry Lear kicked a season-high three goals for Bannockburn, which lost four consecutive games to end the season.

Corio ended coach Joel Bennett’s tenure on a high note, beating an understrength Bell Post Hill by seven points at Myers Reserve. 15.5 (95) to 13.10 (88).

After setting the tone with a seven-goal-to-two opening quarter, the Devils had to withstand a final-term burst from the Panthers, who rested several players ahead of next week’s qualifying final.

Captain Toby Bennett kicked five goals for Corio before being announced as the club’s best-and-fairest last night.

Lachie Wilson kicked an equal season-high four goals for Bell Post Hill, who will face Anakie in an elimination final.