Thomson’s flag a GDFL first

THOMSON made history on Saturday when it became the first side to win a Geelong & District Football League (GDFL) premiership after winning four straight finals.

The club’s Grand Final win over Belmont, a year after its Grand Final loss to Inverleigh, was the product of a fourth quarter domination where the Tigers ran away nine-goal victors, 4.11 (35) to 14.5 (89).

Thomson coach Paul Lynch praised his group’s resilience since Round 1, where the club faced a litany of injuries.

“We always thought that if we could make an Elimination Final and if we got healthy, we would be hard to handle,” Lynch said.

“We just got better and better as the finals went on, and healthier and healthier, so we ended up having a full list for today’s Grand Final.

“Belmont has done an amazing job to get where they have; to come from ninth last year to a Grand Final this year is nothing short of amazing.

“We were confident going up against them, and we knew that if we could win that inside battle in the midfield, it’d go a long way to winning the game.”

In an otherwise dour first half, Belmont’s five first-quarter scoring shots had the Lions in front at the opening break by four points, with only one goal from each team (10-6).

Belmont’s struggles in front of goal continued into the second term as it managed to etch out only one more major before half time.

Thomson, however, kicked five goals straight before its first behind, and took a strong lead at the main break, 17-32.

Belmont hung around until three-quarter time but Thomson then took total control in the fourth quarter, keeping Belmont scoreless and kicking six majors in the process to build up a convincing win.

The win was Thomson’s first flag since 2018 and is the club’s 11th premiership since its creation in 1957.

Darcy Troop, also awarded best on ground honours, kicked a game-high four goals, while Jacob Knight and Mitch Hodgson kicked three and two goals respectively.

Jordan Camm, Charley Donohue, Jackson Macleod and skipper Travis McGuire all hit the scoreboard as well for the Tigers, while Belmont’s only goal-kickers were Bradley Mitchell (two), David Allitt and Brock Mahoney.

Thomson co-captain Sam Jacka, who was also part of the clubu’s most recent flag in 20218, left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury, but that didn’t put a bad note on the celebrations.

“It absolutely feels good to win given the disappointment of last year, this time a year ago we stood here and watched Inverleigh lift the cup,” Jacka said.

“It mentally motivated myself and the team to get back to this point and have another crack at, and you can so those things, but dreams come true, I suppose.”

East Geelong won its second Reserves premiership in three years with a 15-point victory over Werribee Centrals, 2.11 (23) to 5.8 (38).