NAB League replay: Geelong Falcons v GWV Rebels

Geelong Falcons rallied to become the first team to beat GWV Rebels this NAB League season. Watch the replay to find out who was best afield.

Mars Stadium was blanketed in thick fog on Sunday but that did not stop Grovedale forward Tom Gillett from showcasing his unquestionable ability in Geelong Falcons’ 16-point win over Greater Western Victoria.

Gillett, 17, was called up for a NAB League debut against the undefeated ladder-leader after a jaw-dropping start to the GFL season and made an strong impression in the 8.8 (56) to 5.10 (40) win.

Geelong Falcons coach Paul Corrigan said Gillett, who leads the league goalkicking with 28 goals this year, acquitted himself well in his first game.

“He straightened us up a lot compared to probably previous weeks. He provided a contest for us and made it predictable for our small forwards,” Corrigan said.

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Rebel Nick Hodgson lays a good tackle on Falcon Jak Tute over the weekend. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

“I think he kicked a couple as well and he probably had five or six shots on goal. He was a real presence forward.”

After the first half was played in thick fog in Ballarat, the game opened up in the second half.

The Falcons hit the front with four minutes to go, then piled on the last three goals of the game to win 8.8 (56) to 5.10 (40).

Corrigan also praised the performance of defender Oscar Morrison, who made his senior debut for St Joseph’s earlier this year.

“He played a super game on one of their key talls and acquitted himself really well in defence,” he said.

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“I thought Olivier Northam in the ruck, 17-year-old, was super for us. Ted Clohesy in the second half was really strong around the ball for us, Blake Reid off half-back gave us plenty of drive and sort of set us up all day.

“Lachie Kidd played his first game down back for us — he’d been playing through the midfield — and he steadied the ship down there as well.”

Part of the game was played in heavy fog. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

The Falcons also handed debuts to Mitchell Langan, Caleb Ezard, Alistair O’Donnell, Chase Loftus, Xavier Muhor and Will Baker, but their 19-year-olds, including Gennaro Bove, Noah Gadsby, Oscar Barrow and Kyle Skene were unavailable because of lockdown restrictions.

“We played six of our 17-year-olds as well. That was really good to see as well,” Corrigan said.

“If you looked at the Round 1 side compared to now, it’s a totally different side.

“It’s over 50 per cent, 60 per cent (different) when you look at it.”

Rebels defender Josh Gibcus, touted as a potential top-10 draft pick, struggled to get into the game and was thrown into the ruck late.

Sam Butler, younger brother of St Kilda forward Dan Butler, was one of the Rebels’ best.

Both teams showed signs of rust after local footy and training was suspended for two weeks due to Coronavirus restrictions.

The Falcons will play Bendigo Pioneers next Saturday at Mars Stadium, but the fixture beyond that contest is undecided because of restrictions.

Mitchell Knevitt of the Falcons chases the footy through the fog at Mars Stadium.

FULL TEAMS

Greater Western Victoria Rebels

B: 13. S. Breuer, 25. A. Bade, 11. A. Stevens

HB: 22. J. Bambury, 8. J. Gibcus, 7. H. Sinnott

C: 14. J. Ballantyne, 6. M. Herbert, 3. C. Molan

HF: 16. K. Lohmann, 9. J. Lockett, 10. B. Scott

F: 1. S. Butler, 5. J. Rentsch, 26. F. Loader

R: 20. B. Kellett, 15. N. Hodgson, 12. F. Marris

Int: 4. J. Bermingham, 35. A. Cadman, 28. J. Drever, 40. F. Fogaty, 29. I. Lovison, 45. J. Van Es

Emg: 18. T. Baulch, 37. N. Cushing, 32. M. McCluggage

Geelong Falcons

B: 49. A. Dunn, 56. O. Morrison, 41. A. O’Donnell

HB: 22. L. Kidd, 51. W. Parkhouse, 18. B. Reid

C: 13. J. Tute, 12. N. Gribble, 23. O. Wiltshire

HF: 3. E. Hollard, 59. B. Ferguson, 31. T. Owen

F: 15. T. Clohesy, 52. T. Gillett, 55. M. Langan

R: 26. O. Northam, 11. C. Whyte, 28. M. Knevitt

Int: 1. W. Baker, 17. R. Diamond, 54. C. Ezard, 30. C. Loftus, 16. X. Muhor, 8. J. Clark

Emg: M. Lord

Originally published as NAB League replay: Geelong Falcons v GWV Rebels