Stats and top performers from week one of Geelong Football Netball League finals

There were two nail-biters to kick off the GFNL finals series, and plenty of players rose to challenge. See how every player fared and all the stats.

Relieved South Barwon players leave the ground after the siren. Picture: Mike Dugdale

In one of the most memorable Geelong league finals of all-time, a stack of stars from Leopold and St Mary’s stood up when it mattered most.

Saints ball-winner Zak Sherman finished as the top-ranked performer according to Premier Data in not only their one-point extra-time loss, but the entire finals weekend.

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Sherman tallied 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight clearances, seven rebound 50s, six marks and 146 Premier Data ranking points in a well-rounded showing.

Former Essendon playmaker Brayden Ham led the disposal count with 30, along with nine marks, eight inside 50s, a goal and 129 points.

Hardened Leopold midfielders Tom Feely and Tate Porter cracked in hard at the clinches, winning 20 clearances between them, with Feely racking up 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine clearances, seven marks and 128 points, while Tate Porter had 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 clearances and 125 points.

Interceptor Tevan Nofi was named as Leopold’s second best player and his defensive work was pivotal, winning 15 intercept possessions and taking five intercept marks to go with nine one-percenters and 121 points.

The undersized ruck duel between former Geelong Falcon Michael Rudd and Leopold’s Harris Jennings was a fascinating one, with Rudd (22 hit-outs, 18 disposals, a game-high 18 contested possessions, nine clearances, six tackles, a goal and 127 points) and Jennings (39 hit-outs, 15 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 123 points) both impressing.

Prime movers Jarryd Garner (22 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight tackles, a goal and 124 points) and Marcus Thompson (22 disposals, 12 tackles, eight inside 50s, a goal and 122 points) also performed strongly for their sides.

Lion Max Annandale and Saint Harry McMahon made his touches count, each kicking three goals from five touches.

While nine players topped the 120-point mark in the qualifying final, Bell Park ruckman Ollie Bridgewater was the only player to reach that mark in his side’s nailbiting four-point defeat to South Barwon.

Bridgewater capped his first season at the Dragons with a monumental effort in the ruck, registering 44 hit-outs, 18 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 intercepts and scoring 136 points.

His Swans opponent Ben Kellett won 54 hit-outs himself to go with 13 touches and 11 contested possessions.

Jack Driver saved the game with a telling late mark but he was phenomenal all game in defence, racking up 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 13 intercepts, eight marks and 115 points.

He combined well with Rowan Gough who had a jaw-dropping 16 intercept possessions and five intercept marks himself, to go with 21 disposals and 106 points.

Dragons defender Ben Lloyd also clunked seven intercept marks and had 11 intercept possessions, 21 disposals and 11 rebound 50s.

Bell Park captain Lachie Patten fought hard until the end with a game-high 21 contested possessions, 25 disposals, 11 clearances, eight tackles and 108 points, while Ben Worme (23 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances, seven one-percenters and 112 points) was another to crack the ton.

Originally published as Stats and top performers from week one of Geelong Football Netball League finals