Bold Eagles eye a place in finals
EAST Geelong coach Jeremy Power says he is letting his players tell him what is possible this year after the Eagles surged into finals contention with a stunning win over Geelong West.
The Eagles claimed their biggest scalp for the season at Richmond Crescent on Saturday, upsetting top-five hopeful Geelong West by 22 points to move into sixth spot on the ladder.
In a remarkable turnaround, they already have six wins — two more than last year’s total — and Power said there was genuine confidence growing within the Eagles’ playing group.
“The players are starting to make those suggestions (about finals), which is what you want,” Power said after the 10.6 (66) to 6.8 (44) win at home.
“I want them to drive where they think they can get to.
“It’s process-driven, but it’s making sure we are not going g to jump too far ahead and d fall down. We want to keep moving that bit more forward.
“We want the opposition n to think about us now (as being ng a threat). It’s exciting to o think we’re starting to get some attention for what we are doing.”
East Geelong trailed by three points at quarter-time, but set the win up with a four-goal-tonone second quarter, takking the margin to 21 points s at the main break.
It turned out to be a matchatchdeciding quarter, with both teams locked in a tight tussle ussle for the rest of the afternoon.
The Eagles had to withstand heavy pressure a number of times as the undermanned Giants mounted a challenge, but the gap proved too much to bridge in tough conditions.
“There were a couple of periods where West was really coming at us,” Power said.
“In some games earlier in the year and definitely last year we would give up two or three goals in those moments.
“But we were able to hold firm and that was probably the most pleasing (aspect of the win).”
Giants co-coach Andrew Clark said he couldn’t question his team’s effort, especially given they were missing eight key players from their 22.
“I thought we had a red-hot go,” Clark said. “I thought we were competitive all day, I thought they were really good.
“I think 10 minutes into the last quarter we were within 16 points and I thought we were still a chance but … we couldn’t get over the line.” THOMSON had a few tense moments late, but managed to hold off a fast-finishing North Geelong at Godfrey Street. The Tigers had looked in control all day after jumping five goals clear at the first break. The game levelled out from that point on, before the Magpies surged from 25 points down at the final break to get within seven points at the final siren. Matt Egan and Brendan Wall were superb for the Tigers, as was Pj Di Santo in the 13.5 (83) to 12.4 (76) win. Derek Fitzsimmons bagged four goals for the Magpies to be one of his team’s best. Michael Govus also played his best game for the season, while coach Ayden George was also named in the Magpies’ best. BELL Post Hill found another gear in the second half to defeat Anakie by 26 points at Myers Reserve. Down by one point at halftime, the Panthers kicked eight goals to three after the main break to run away comfortable 11.9 (75) to 6.13 (49) victors. Versatile tall Bean McNamara kicked three goals to be named Bell Post Hill’s best, while Jack Yates and Ben Tekin were also crucial. Bailey Ettridge kicked three goals for Anakie in his second match since being cleared from the GFL, while Lachlan Cameron and Mason Rhodes stood out for the Roos. WINCHELSEA’S finals credentials have again been brought into question after being upstaged by an inspired Belmont Lions on Saturday. The Blues are hanging on to fifth on the ladder as their rotten run of form continued in the one-goal loss to the 10thplaced Lions at Jetts Oval. The victory was reward for effort for the Lions, who led at every break and had to withstand a final-term comeback by the Blues. It was just their second win of the season and the first for interim coach Lachie Edwards. Nathan Jennings, Darcy Keegan and Nick Chapman were all superb for Belmont in the boggy conditions, while Winch was led by Baden Remmos and Leigh Ellis. INVERLEIGH wasn’t bothered by the tough conditions, belting Corio by 191 points at Viva Energy Oval. The Hawks secured their spot in the top two, slamming home 31 goals to Corio’s one in a lopsided contest. The Devils’ only goal came in the first quarter, in which the Hawks kicked 11. Casey Meehan finished with eight goals for Inverleigh, as more than half the Hawks team kicked a goal in the 31.16 (202) to 1.2 (8) win.