Lions roar past Centurions in GDFL Finals opener

BELMONT Sports Club’s dream 2024 Geelong & District Football League (GDFL) campaign is on track, winning the First Qualifying Final against Werribee Centrals this afternoon (Saturday, August 24).

The win sets up a massive Second Qualifying Final with East Geelong next Saturday, after the Lions handed Werribee a 16.10 (106) to 8.8 (56) loss at St Albans Reserve.

Today was Belmont’s first finals appearance since 2015.

The game got off to a balanced start, with six goals shared evenly in the opening term, Belmont leading 20-19.

The Centurions took a slim lead into half time, 36-40, but Belmont answered in a big way in the third quarter.

Following a 15-minute stalemate, Belmont exploded for five goals in the same amount of time to take a commanding lead into the final break, leading 67-43.

Rhyce Prismall’s Werribee side failed to regather its composure, outscored in front of the big sticks again by six goals to two in the fourth quarter and going down by 50 points.

David Allitt’s impressive season in front of goals continued, racking up four goals and team-mate Benjamin Evans doing the same.

Jak Evans, Nathan Jennings, Ben McPherson, Michael Murdoch, Harrison Thompson, co-coach Brent Vermeulen, Josh Wilson and Andy Wylie also scored majors.

Josh McDonald and Blake Taylor were the only multiple goal-kickers for the Centurions, with two each.

Brad Carlton, Kur Kur, Bryce Linehan-Cunningham and Carmelo Saliba all kicked one goal.

Belmont and East Geelong meet at St Albans Reserve next Saturday (August 31) for a spot in the GDFL Grand Final.

Werribee can keep its season alive with a Semi-Final win over either Thomson or Bannockburn next Sunday (September 1).

The Elimination Final to decide Werribee’s opponent next week begins tomorrow at 2pm.