Eagles striving to celebrate club history in style

EAST Geelong will be eager to cap off a big day for the club with a victory tomorrow (Saturday, April 12).

Ned Aulsebrook’s side hosts fellow 2024 finalist Werribee Centrals at 2pm and the Geelong and District Football League club will unveil its new premiership cups cabinets.

Following a fundraising effort, the club is replacing 22 missing premiership trophies, some of which were lost in a fire in the 1960s.

Senior football co-ordinator Michael O’Leary said the club raised $16,000 and there would be function from 2pm.

“We’ve won 24 senior premierships since 1879 and we only have two original cups.”

The Eagles beat Bannockburn 12.10 (82) to 9.11 (65) at home in Round 1 with Zac Smith kicking five majors.

They had nine new faces compared to last year, including seven club debutants, as they held off the Tigers’ strong pressure.

“To play a consistent second half was promising and it was really nice to grind out a win in round one,” Aulsebrook said.

The coach added the maroon and gold had injected a good mix of youth and experience to help take the next step after last year’s preliminary final exit.

“We wanted some guys who had played a lot of footy and had success so that’s where Jeremy Ollis comes in with winning a flag at Modewarre and playing a lot of finals across the journey,” he said.

Centrals lost their Round 1 game to Belmont by three points.