Belmont in first Grand Final since 2007 with win over Eagles

THE Belmont Sporting Club will take part in only its second Geelong & District Football League (GDFL) Grand Final, and its first in 17 years, after defeating minor premiers East Geelong in today’s (Saturday, August 31) Second Qualifying Finals.

In a low-scoring affair at St Albans Reserve, the Lions worked its way to a 5.7 (37) to 8.9 (57) victory, pulling away with a five-goal fourth quarter and a dominant second half, similar to last week’s win over Werribee Centrals.

East Geelong struck first, kicking four goals to one and holding a comfortable lead after the first quarter, up 29-7.

GDFNL Coaches of the Year Andy Walsgott and Brent Vermeulen inspired their side to answer back, setting up an impenetrable backline and keeping East Geelong goalless in the second term.

At the other end, Belmont kicked two goals of their own with the half-time scoreline standing at 30-23.

East Geelong took a page out of Belmont’s book, keeping the Lions goalless in the third quarter and kicking a lone goal themselves heading into the fourth. With 30 minutes to play, the Eagles led 37-24.

Belmont saved all its goals for the fourth quarter, exploding for a five-goal term, capped off by its Team of the Year forward Benjamin Evans.

The Lions broke clear of the Eagles late in the final quarter following Evans’ first goal of the contest after kicking three behinds, setting the scene for the evening’s celebrations for the Belmont faithful.

With the game beyond doubt, the Lions settled on a historic 20-point victory and a week off as it waits to see who its Grand Final opponent is.

David Allitt continued his late-season goal-surge with three majors. Evans kicked a pair and Brock Mahoney, Ben McPherson and Josh Wilson adding one goal each.

Wilson, Allitt, Lewis MacDonald, Corey Jarrad, Bradley Michell and Braeden Eddy were named Belmont’s best on ground.

Samuel Lowe, Conor McKinnon, Jaydan McLauchlan, Benjamin Flintoff, playing-coach Ned Aulsebrook and Sam King were nominated the same for East Geelong.

East Geelong now needs to travel the long way into this year’s Grand Final by winning next Saturday’s Preliminary Final.

It plays either Werribee Centrals or Thomson, who take to St Albans Reserve tomorrow from 2pm for this year’s Semi-Final.