Eagles win after comeback
It was the round that belied the competitive nature of the Geelong & District Football League ladder.
Unbeaten Werribee Centrals sit alone at the top of the table and then seven sides from second to seventh are separated only by percentage.
However, it was a lopsided round 8 and if you take away the result at Winter Reserve, the average winning margin was 99 points. Three games were decided by triple figures.
Thank goodness for East Geelong and Belmont Lions.
In a gripping encounter at Winter Reserve, the Eagles were 18 points down halfway through the third quarter before clawing it back to seven at the final change and then booting five goals in the final term to win by 16.
East Geelong coach Ned Auslebrook said he sensed the game was swinging his side’s way before the final term.
“I think the game sort of turned a little bit, probably 15 minutes into the third quarter,” he said.
“Belmont had all the play in the start of the third and probably got away from us a little bit. We were happy to wrestle it back to a seven-point deficit at three-quarter time.
“At times earlier in the game, there was a bit of overuse between the arcs.
Playing at Belmont, they’re obviously a well-drilled side anywhere, but they know how to play that ground really well.”
Talls Caleb Ezard and Zac Smith combined for nine of East’s 13 goals and caused headaches for the Lions’ defence all afternoon while Ben Mulvahil made a massive impact around the stoppages.
Aulsebrook said Ezard was best afield “by a country mile” with his five goals and ability to move into the ruck. Smith booted four majors to make it 38 for the season.
“His (Ezard) forward-ruck craft has become a real strength of his, bringing himself and others into the game at forward stoppages,” Aulsebrook said.
“It was good to see him get a lick of the ice cream, kicking five goals as well.”
The Eagles have a few on the injury list with Austin Mulvahil withdrawing from this weekend’s interleague clash with a hamstring.
“I’m hoping he’s back after the bye, but it might be another week or two after that,” Aulsebrook said.
“He’s obviously doing all the right things, and he’s young. He’s never done a soft tissue before, which makes it a little bit hard to gauge off how he’s feeling.”
Captain John McIntrye has a groin injury, but should be back for the next game while defender Jayden Fanning’s hamstring should also heal in time for the big clash against Bell Post Hill on 13 June.
While Ezard and Ben Mulvahil will take part in this Saturday’s interleague clash against Colac & District at Winchelsea, Aulsebrook said the break had come at a good time before his side takes on the Panthers.
“It’s another eight-point game, I suppose, in a couple of weeks’ time, but they’re (Bell Post Hill) always hard to beat,” he said.
“We’ve had some pretty good tussles with them over the last couple of years, so I’m looking forward to it. The boys need a rest though.”
WERRIBEE Centrals continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 43-point triumph against Inverleigh. Two former Lara stars were instrumental with Aaron Stone best and Bryce Linehan-Cunningham booting four goals.
BELL Post Hill thrashed Thomson by 89 points with first-year Panther Banjo Hickey starring and Nick Costello kicking six goals.
BANNOCKBURN enjoyed a 127-point win against Geelong West Giants with Henry Hawker’s six-goal haul earning best afield status while Jacson Collins was yet again tireless for the Giants.
NORTH Geelong waltzed to a 117-point win against Corio with Cooper Vaughan kicking seven goals and young midfielder Rory Desnoy running amok.
WINCHELSEA proved too good for Anakie to the tune of 118 points with Aaron Cooke best and Cameron Primmer booting four goals to make it 33 for the season while Grovedale recruit Sam Adams starred with three goals.
