Leopold sets up home Grand Final with win over St Mary’s

Leopold has eliminated two-time reigning premiers St Mary’s from Geelong Football League (GFL) premiership contention with an exhilarating win over the Saints in yesterday’s (Saturday, September 16) Preliminary Final.

The Lions continued its late-season surge under coach Garry Hocking with an 8.10.58 to 10.9.69 win over the minor premiers at its home ground Leopold Memorial Park.

Leopold held a flimsy two-point quarter-time lead (12-14) over the Saints on the back of wayward kicking from St Mary’s, who kicked 1.6 in the opening frame.

St Mary’s found its accuracy in the second quarter, kicking 3.1 on its way to a 31-21 lead over Leopold at the half-time break.

The third quarter provided an entertaining 30 minutes of play for spectators as both sides kicked multiple majors.

Leopold led at final break 50-52 setting up for a dramatic finish.

Both sides traded blows in the fourth quarter, but some important efforts in the middle from captain Marcus Thompson, Logan Wagener, and Trent West proved pivotal in the final minutes.

Leopold kicked two goals to St Mary’s one to eventually come out of the match 11-point winners, getting the Lions to their second-straight Grand Final.

Connor Giddings and Mitch Patten were the Lions’ only multiple goal-kickers, receiving assistance from Luke Justin, Billy Ritchie, Oliver Tate, Wagener, West, and Brock Williamson who all kicked one each.

Sam Dobson and Patrick Dowling each kicked a pair of goals, while Max Augerinos, Kade Chalcraft, Matthew Copley, and Nick Stevens also made the scoresheet.

The Leopold win was the side’s 14^th in its past 16 games.

Leopold will meet South Barwon next Saturday (September 23) in the GFL Grand Final back at Leopold Memorial Park.

The Lions will have the luxury of a home ground advantage on the day, when opening bounce takes place at 2.10pm.

South Barwon has not won a flag since 2013, while the Lions have not secured premiership glory since 2016.