GDFL: Geelong West fall to East Geelong in a one-point thriller
East Geelong led for the majority of the day over Geelong West but were still made to come from behind to secure a one-point win in round 1 of the GDFL season.
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EAST Geelong coach Tom Cordner-Maas has credited his side’s self-belief as a big reason the Eagles could secure a nailbiting thriller over Geelong West.
The Eagles held a 23-point lead going into the last quarter and watched as the Giants kicked the first five goals of the final quarter and took the lead for the first time in the game, before two late goals into a strong wind secured the 10.10 (70) to 9.15 (69) victory.
Cordner-Maas said it was an early-season test of the side’s character, and he was pleased the playing group passed the challenge.
“It’s a good sign for things to come when you can hold down the fort a little bit, they took the lead for a bit in that last quarter but to come back and kick the last two goals against the momentum of the game and into the wind was really pleasing,” he said.
“Geelong West is going to be really strong this year, I think the fact that they’re going to be one of the top teams makes it even more pleasing that we could claw back the lead late.
“I was so proud of the playing group, to have that resolve when their backs were up against the wall, with Geelong West on a run, with the wind, and they’re at home, and we’re still able to grind out a win, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Geelong West debuted a number of new faces, including star forward Mat Hebbard who moved across from BFL powerhouse Drysdale.
Giants co-coach Mitch Wight said Hebbard showed his class despite the loss, and he was excited to see his forward line at full strength when Blake Dye returns from niggling injuries that kept him out of the round 1 side.
“We added six or seven guys into our side from last year, so we think we’ve still got a lot of improvement left to make this year,” he said.
“We’re taking real positives out of that loss, East Geelong are a really strong side and to almost get the win over them was really pleasing.
“Mat looked really dangerous and he’s fit in really well, but we’ll get Blake back soon and we’ve got a number of guys who can kick big bags of goals.
“He’s a terrific option up forward who leads really well, we’re still getting used to what suits him up forward and it probably took us three quarters to figure out how we can best utilise his forward nous.
“He’s only going to be better for that first game as he builds the chemistry with the forwards, it’s something we can mix up a bit, Brayden Mitchell has kicked 50 goals in a season before, Ted Walliss has kicked 50 in a year before, so we’ve got four really dangerous key forwards up there.”
Around the Grounds
Bell Post Hill has started the season with a mammoth win over Anakie, winning 25.16 (166) to 1.3 (9).
Star forward Nick Costello slotted six goals while brother Adam Costello (two goals) and Scott Costello (one goal) both hit the scoreboard as well.
The Panthers welcomed back Boe Collins for his first hit out since returning from Cairns, with the star midfielder kicking two majors in the win.
A late Corio surge has given Inverleigh a scare in the opening game of the season, but the Hawks held onto a 12.19 (91) to 11.6 (72) victory.
Corio kicked 4.2 to Inverleigh’s 0.7 in the final quarter to close the gap, but they could not overcome the difference in margin.
Hawks coach Adam Donohue slotted four majors in the win.
A strong win influenced the game between Thomson and North Geelong, with the Tigers claiming a 12.17 (89) to 8.10 (58) victory.
Neither side kicked more than two goals into the wind in any quarter, while both teams slotted at least four majors each time they had the wind.
Thomson recruit Darcy Troop slotted four majors in his first game for the club, while Blake Miller kicked five goals in his return to the competition, having last played for Bannockburn in 2021.
Reigning premiers Bannockburn has got its season off to a winning start, albeit in a closely contested game against Werribee Centrals.
New skipper Tristan Battaglia slotted two goals in the 11.15 (81) to 12.7 (79) victory.
The new era at Winchelsea has started with a victory over Belmont in difficult conditions, with the Blues running away 11.15 (81) to 7.14 (56) victors.
Winchelsea had 11 players make their debuts for the club, including returning juniors Finlay Parish and co-captain Brenton Rees.
Brent Vermeulen and Andy Walsgott both made their co-coaching debuts for Belmont in the loss.
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