Pies to chase top recruits

FIRST-YEAR North Geelong coach Ayden George says adding experienced recruits to his group in the off-season can help North Geelong close the gap on the top five.

The Magpies matched Inverleigh for three quarters but “their class probably prevailed in the end”, according to George.

“They’re a quality side and we knew we had to play four quarters of footy if we were going to get anywhere close to them,” George said.

“Probably not being able to fight it out was the disappointing part.

“I think we probably had opportunities early in the (final) quarter to get some score on the scoreboard and then just our turnovers hurt us and gave them some easy ball back, which they made the most of.

“If we stick to the way we know we can play, we can get some good results. But when we don’t do it for long enough and go away from what we’re about, that’s when we come unstuck.”

James Vanderkley (shoulder) was the only injury out of the 8.14 (62) to 16.8 (104) loss in which Dylan Fisher was a shining light for the Magpies.

George, who said he was committed to 2020, believed there was a strong foundation at Osbourne Park to build on.

“I was probably a late appointment originally in the first place, so to be able to identify where we’re lacking and address that, and hopefully have another year under me and train our structures through the pre-season a bit more will help,” he said.

“We’re definitely optimistic about the future.

“It was always going to be hard to do what I wanted to do in one year, and two years I feel like the guys will know me a lot more and what I’m about.

“We’re just going to be 12 months advanced from now.”

George said he would target some higher-level experience over the off-season.

“We’ve got a pretty young group,” he said.

“We’re probably lacking in that 25-28 age bracket, but a lot of these guys haven’t been exposed to a higher level at North Geelong, so to be able to get some players that have played at a higher level and at a good standard will be key.” WERRIBEE Centrals responded like a finals team should after a comfortable win over East Geelong.

Stung by last week’s upset loss to Bell Post Hill, the Centurions outlasted the Eagles, 17.15 (117) to 12.12 (84), to dent East Geelong’s finals hopes.

Eleven Werribee players kicked a goal and Blake Taylor was the pick of an even team performance.

Jack Elliott kicked four goals for the Eagles to be the leading goal-kicker on the ground, while Jayden Fanning was judged his side’s best. WINCHELSEA capitulated in stunning style, as Geelong West came from nowhere to pinch a two-goal win at Eastern Reserve.

Seemingly out of the game at three-quarter time, the Giants kicked seven unanswered goals in the final quarter to win 12.14 (86) to 10.14 (74).

Cam Addie was the difference in attack with six goals, clearly the most influential forward on the ground. BELMONT recorded its third win, accounting for Bell Post Hill, 15.20 (110) to 11.11 (77).

The Lions called on all their fighting spirit, coming from two points behind at threequarter time to eventually win with ease.

Belmont’s even forward line caused the Panthers headaches, with Nick Chapman kicking three goals and three other players kicking two. James O’Connor was Belmont’s best. THOMSON survived a scare from Anakie, recovering from a nine-point deficit at threequarter time to win 15.17 (107) to 10.9 (69).

Bailey Ettridge had the Roos in the mix for one of the upsets of the season with a handful of goals, before the Tigers steadied in the last quarter with eight goals to take the game away from Anakie.

Jonathon Casey was Thomson’s best, while Paul Davis helped himself to another haul of four. BANNOCKBURN demolished Corio, 22.17 (149) to 2.3 (15), to maintain its grip on second spot.

Medium forward Brent Jacques (seven goals) proved too tough to handle for the Devils, but Corio did well to limit the damage, with Blake Hutchinson winning plenty of the footy.