North Geelong secure 21-point win over Bannockburn in Tigers skipper Connor Jervies’ 200th appearance

The Magpies’ first 20 minutes against the Tigers was near textbook football – and while the challenges came, Peter Riccardi’s men made sure to walk away with their unbeaten streak intact.

North Geelong's Cooper Pasque was a strong marking target up forward on Saturday. Picture: Alan Barber

North Geelong knew it had to start hot if it was to blanket the emotion surrounding Bannockburn ‘heart and soul’ captain Connor Jervies’ big day.

Running out for game 200, Jervies and the Tigers were hit with the full force of an unbeaten Magpies side – their elite skill, particularly by foot, pressure and numbers winning the territory battle early to land the first three goals of the day.

It proved the difference in the Magpies’ 10.16 (76) to 8.7 (55) win, with Peter Riccardi’s side now 8-0 ahead of a league-wide bye, and with sole claim on undefeated status after Belmont Lions’ loss to Anakie on the same day.

For Riccardi, Saturday's win was his first over his old club, with both the Cats legend and Magpies midfielder Tom Schwennesen fully aware the Tigers would be spurred on by Jervies’ milestone.

“We knew they were going to come out hot and we just wanted to match it, if not better it, and we felt like we did,” Schwennesen said.

Bannockburn's Austin Mahoney handballs under pressure from North Geelong's Cooper Vaughan. Picture: Alan Barber

Kickstarting their game off half back, the Magpies were well served by the elite kicks of Noah Penny and VFL recruit Osca Riccardi when targeting inside 50.

“Having Osca on that outlet, just giving that handball out to him and you just know he’s going to hit a target,” Schwennesen said.

“He’s so smooth with it, it’s unbelievable to watch.”

A free kick in front of goal gave the Tigers their first via Brodie Harding, as the visitors worked to wrestle back momentum late in the first.

Impassioned sprays from both Jervies and Pilgrim at quarter time eventually sparked the Tigers midway through the second, with a trio of goals, including one electric soccer-like snap from Tristan Battaglia keeping the margin within two goals at half time.

With the Magpies rueing missed shots – kicking 4.10 across the second and third terms – it was Riccardi’s turn at three-quarter time to challenge his players to step up, acknowledging the Tigers had started to outnumber them.

“The third bloke in, fourth bloke in, at stages it was five on two, five on three, we’re not going to win the footy and end up going forward – I’m massive on territory,” Riccardi said.

“We cleaned that up.”

Tom Schwennesen celebrates an important fourth quarter goal against Bannockburn. Picture: Alan Barber

A clutch goal fromSchwennesen – breaking out of a forward 50 stoppage to snap truly – was arguably a turning point midway through the quarter, the Magpies, armed with adequate breathing room, seeing out the remainder of the game with confidence.

“It’s like I keep saying, it’s handy to have good teammates around you, like they put in the work, lay some blocks for me, vice versa,” Schwennesen said of his goal.

“We’re just gelling well, it’s good team effort.”

Though happy with the Tigers’ response after quarter time, Pilgrim lamented his side’s “ordinary” skill execution.

“That was mainly due to the pressure North Geelong put on – they’re flying at the minute and, they deserve to win today,” Pilgrim said.

“They’re the most skilful side we’ve played … they had hardly any turnovers – their skills by foot were first rate and they’re the best we’ve played by a mile,” Pilgrim said.

“When you’re turning the footy over and they’re not giving it back to you, it makes it hard to win a game of footy.”

Magpies forward Blake Miller kicked three in his return, though came off with a sore knee, teammate Cooper Pasque was another strong marking target forward while Jacsen Jewell and Rory Desnoy impressed Riccardi, particularly late.

Meanwhile Tigers’ second-gamer Darcy Giddings looked composed at the level playing in a variety of roles forward, back and through the ruck, after Cooper Edwards came off after copping a knock in the second quarter.

Jervies a ‘heart and soul’ Tigers man

While Bannockburn would have hoped to celebrate two-time premiership player and skipper Jervies’ 200th with a win, it didn’t stop praise rolling in for the lifelong Tiger.

“He is the club, to be honest,” Pilgrim said of the champion midfielder.

“We had a few video snippets from ex-teammates today prior to the game and you know, he’s not only our captain and a great footballer, he’s our treasurer as well.

“The things he does off the field, I’ve never seen a footballer do what he does and, he’s the heart and soul of the club.”

Connor Jervies marks. North Geelong v Bannockburn. Picture: Alan Barber

Making his senior debut back in 2013, Jervies was best on ground in the Tigers’ 2022 flag under Pilgrim, with two club best and fairests also to his name.

Riccardi, who coached Jervies in the Tigers’ 2019 premiership, described the 200-gamer as “a ripping fella”.

“He’s a money machine. He’s a beautiful user with a footy and he’s got a bit of spunk about him, which a lot of people don’t like, but coaching him, you love it,” Riccardi said.

Banno back with pack, Pies ‘flying’

While the Tigers find themselves with plenty of work to do, 4-4 and inside the top 5 only via percentage, the Magpies are amid their best start to a season in some time.

Schwennesen admitted he hadn’t expected the Magpies’ perfect start, but backed his side in to go far this season.

“I knew we were going to be competitive, which, that’s all we can ask for, but it’s just a bonus being 8-0,” Schwennesen said.

“It’s good, it’s exciting for the club. We’re all up and about for it, so just got to keep the ball rolling.”

“I’m backing us in to go the whole way, but it’s only early days. Our next three games are Thomson, Werribee and Belmont - they’ll be a heavy task for us.

“So we’re looking forward to that, and we’ve just got to keep showing up, playing our brand of footy.”

Originally published as North Geelong secure 21-point win over Bannockburn in Tigers skipper Connor Jervies’ 200th appearance