Tigers pounce on Panthers in Preliminary Final drubbing

THOMSON is headed back to the Geelong & District Football League Grand Final for the first time since 2019 after it convincingly routed Bell Post Hill in yesterday’s (Saturday, September 8) Preliminary Final, 17.12.114 to 6.7.43.

In the one-sided affair, the Tigers amassed a 25-point lead by the end of the first term, leading 39-13.It didn’t get easier for the Panthers, with the deficit doubled at the main break, 66-14.

Bell Post Hill did manage to quell the bleeding in the third, outscoring the Tigers 9-16 in that stretch, but it was only a matter of time before Paul Lynch’s side put an exclamation mark on the contest, piling on six goals to the scoreboard in the final term to win by 71 points.

The Panthers not only bowed out of flag contention in the penultimate round of the finals series, but it was also the side’s biggest loss of the 2023 campaign.

To make matters worse for Justin Tarr and his team, they had to endure watching teammate Nick Flaccavento suffer a broken leg, with play halted for close to an hour.

“To those at the ground at yesterday’s Preliminary Final we would like to thank all the trainers, players and supporters who were by Nick’s side on the ground and sending well wishes,” Flaccavento and his family said in a statement.

“Nick has had surgery and is now on the road to recovery.

“To the Panthers family, thank you for all the support given overnight and continuing to do so.

“Thomson, thank you for the well wishes and the sportsmanship shown and good luck in next weeks Grand Final.”

Thomson released a statement following the incident, wishing Flaccavento a speedy recovery.

“The Thomson Football & Netball Club would like to send its well wishes to Bell Post Hill Football & Netball Club player Nick Flaccavento following his horrific injury today,” the statement said.

“Whether it’s a teammate or an opposition, nobody wants to see this happen to anybody on the football field and we wish him all the best with his recovery.”

10 Tigers hit the scoresheet, led by Brent Jacques’ five-goal haul.

Darcy Troop snagged three goals individually, while Sam Jacka, Nathan Bisset, Jordan Camm, Charley Donohue, Mitch Hodgson, Regan Karslke, Andrew Mead-Harding, and Jackson Sheedy all added to the Panthers’ woes.

Bell Post Hill vice-captain Will Ford and Beau McNamara nabbed a pair of goals, while Tom Bryans and Zane Jones also kicked a major.

Jahd Anderson, Darcy Troop, Andrew Jarvis, Travis McGuire, Jordan Camm, and Sam Jacka were judged best on ground for Thomson.

Beau McNamara, Dylan Witney, Sam Quinn, Tim Barton, Jack Yates, and Jett Herrmann were named the same for Bell Post Hill.

Thomson will hope to secure its 11^th seniors premiership next Saturday against Inverleigh.

The Hawks are still in search of its first senior premiership since 1992.

Action is expected to start from 2pm at St Albans Reserve next Saturday.