The Belmont Lions down reigning premiers Thomson in GDFNL grand final rematch by 13 points

A first quarter which went for about 40 minutes handed the Belmont Lions an advantage its coach says, who has retired from playing after two concussions last season.

Belmont's Ben Evans celebrates a goal against Thomson. Picture: Alan Barber

Belmont Lions co-coach Andy Walsgott says his side benefited from an apparent time keeping error in the first quarter of their grand final rematch against Thomson on Saturday.

Walsgott, who has retired from playing following two concussions last season, said the first term at Thomson Recreation Reserve went for about 40 minutes as the Lions kicked with the advantage of a strong breeze to record 6.6 to 2.1.

“We got lucky to be honest, it was probably a four-goal breeze I’d say,” Walsgott said.

“The first quarter, I think there was a bit of confusion on when to stop and start the clock, so we certainly had the advantage.

“The first quarter went for about 40 minutes I think ... it’s not lost on us, we certainly had an advantage with that.”

Belmont Lions co-coach Andy Walsgott has stepped down from playing after two concussions in 2024. Picture: Alan Barber

Walsgott said he spoke about the situation with Thomson coach Paul Lynch, and believed the time keepers were doing their best.

“That’s the thing with local footy at the moment, every club’s crying out for volunteers,” he said.

“They’re just doing their best and going off ... under the assumption of how it works.

“Both of them will be better for the run.”

The wind certainly favoured the city end, with 21.13 kicked to 3.8.

Lions vice-captain Ben McPherson booted three majors for the winners while Lucas Boyd and Tigers skipper Billie Smedts also produced three each.

Meanwhile, the Lions got through another match largely unscathed with only one change so far this season being David Van Allitt who missed against the Tigers due to his honeymoon.

The Lions had been smashed by Thomson in last year’s GDFNL decider by 54 points, but Walsgott said it was only seriously discussed from a strategic point of view.

“I certainly referred to the game in particular ... spoke about the game itself in terms of players and the way they want to play, they managed to touch us up in the granny and the things I thought they did really well,” he said.

“In terms of motivation, that can be intrinsic for the players and how they play and what they need to get themselves up because my job is to prepare them in a footy sense.”

Walsgott calls time on his playing career at age 30

Lions coach Andy Walsgott said it wasn’t an overly difficult decision to call time on his career at the age of 30 following two concussions last season.

Speaking to this masthead from his parents’ sauna on Sunday morning, Walsgott said he continues to suffer from headaches most days following the initial head knock in Round 5 last year against Anakie at Winter Reserve.

The Iona College teacher had gone to tackle but his head collided with an opponent’s shoulder.

“It was pretty innocuous,” Walsgott said.

“I kept playing for five minutes and I just deteriorated pretty rapidly after that, in terms of memory and where I was.”

Walsgott would be cleared to play nearly two months later for the match against Bell Post Hill in mid-June, before a solid tackle at training triggered an immediate headache.

“I’ve had that ever since,” he said.

“If it’s going to happen through a tackle, it’s probably time to give it up.

“You’ve got to look after your health and the rest of your life, that’s the main priority for me.”

Searching for a silver lining, Walsgott said it effectively made him a better coach for the Lions, who would later qualify for its first GDFNL grand final since 2007 against Thomson.

“I think when I just coached as well we probably set up a little better, I could be a bit more focused at the breaks,” he said.

Andy Walsgott celebrates a goal for Barwon Heads against Torquay in 2016. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“I think my coaching was a bit more succinct and a bit more organised, so that versus any output on the field was the best thing for the club and the team so I was happy just to stick with that.”

While he might be tempted to pull on the boots in the reserves down the track, with his mate and coach Kieran Hodge, for now, his footy career is over.

“I won’t play again I don’t think, particularly when I’m still recovering, I still have a headache pretty much every day,” he said.

“That’s still my lot in life at the moment, the headaches.

“But I have been seeing some improvement in the last couple of months.

“It’s not even in the thought process while I’m still recovering.”

Walsgott said he was trying everything possible to overcome his issues, including regular sauna sessions.

“Ever since I had my concussions last year, I’ve tried to get in a little bit more,” he said.

“It’s meant to be good for the brain so I just try to get in as much as I can.

“It’s hard to sort of quantify (how much it helps), I feel pretty good when I get out, it’s hard to say, I certainly enjoy getting in here and relaxing.”

Originally published as The Belmont Lions down reigning premiers Thomson in GDFNL grand final rematch by 13 points