NAB League replay: Geelong Falcons pulls off upset win over Bendigo Pioneers

Geelong Falcons pulled off an unlikely triumph over the ladder leaders in a NAB League nail-biter. See the top performers and watch the replay here.

The Geelong Falcons clinched an upset 10-point win over the top-of-the-table Bendigo Pioneers at Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon, thanks in part to the late heroics of Mitchell Langan.

After the Pioneers took the lead in the final term, the Falcons responded with two goals of their own in a nail-biting final term as the 192cm Langan hauled in two crucial pack marks at the death.

The Falcons have become a giant killer over the past fortnight, knocking off the previously undefeated GWV Rebels last week before handing the in-form Pioneers their second NAB League second loss.

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Mitchell Knevitt impressed for the Falcons in their tight win. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images

AFL talent manager and expert commentator Kevin Sheehan was impressed by the work of Falcons midfielders Noah Gribble, Mitchell Knevitt and Cooper Whyte, who he described as “prolific”.

Knevitt and Gribble were standouts in the win over the Rebels and are putting together excellent campaigns — the latter after missing out on being drafted last year.

The Pioneers had plenty of strong contributors with Essendon VFL listed player Sam Conforti and Harvey Gallagher, a 179cm midfielder-forward, lauded by Sheehan.

Powerhouse Victorian clubs competing for father-son gun

Battle lines could be drawn between two powerhouse Melbourne clubs ahead of the AFL Draft this year over a prospect who is showing “unbelievable” traits in the NAB League.

Bendigo Pioneers forward Nyawi Moore is in the unique position of being a father-son prospect for Essendon as well as a Next Generation Academy member for Richmond.

The son of former Bombers star Nathan Lovett-Murray, Moore has shown no shortage of “tricks” for the Pioneers this season since training at Tullamarine over pre-season.

The 18-year-old had 14 disposals against Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League last weekend, but 10 of those came during an eye-catching third quarter.

Nyawi Moore (second from right) is a father-son prospect for Essendon and an NGA prospect for Richmond this year. Picture: Essendon FC/Twitter

“He had an exceptional third quarter and really put his case forward with some unbelievable decision making,” Bendigo Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree said.

“He’s got every athletic quality that you want at an AFL club. He’s a very exciting player.”

O’Bree said Moore — who stands 182cm tall — appeared best suited as creative lead-up forward.

“We tried him through the midfield in his first game but we kept him forward in his second game and he was a lot better as a stay-at-home forward, either as a high half-forward or coming out of the square,” O’Bree said.

Moore will miss this Saturday’s match against Geelong Falcons with a minor hip complaint, but the Pioneers are set to welcome back another draft prospect in Sam Conforti from his own hip injury.

A 173cm ball-winning midfielder who can go forward and hit the scoreboard, Conforti was draft eligible last year but has taken his game to another level this season.

Falcons players celebrate a goal in last week’s clash against the Rebels. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

After playing three NAB League games to start the year, he has gone on to feature in four VFL matches with Essendon.

“He’s prepared himself in a really good physical shape and he’s playing some smart footy,” O’Bree said.

“I think he realises what it’s going to take for him to go to the next level and he knows it’s going to be that uncompromising, relentless pressure player because he hasn’t got that height and athleticism.”