Last-gasp Centurions effort falls short as East Geelong claim first GDNL flag

EAST Geelong has staved off a late run from a determined Werribee Centrals side to be crowned GDNL premiers for the first time in its history.

The Eagles held a seven-goal advantage at the start of the fourth quarter, but a late Centrals run cut the deficit down to just one goal.

However, the final siren sounded, and East Geelong would raise the premiership cup with a narrow 24-23 win.

East Geelong’s Shannon Pietch had 16 goals on the day, while Jenelle Baker added eight goals to the team’s total.

Werribee’s shooters Ellie Vincent and Ellie Tubbs combined for 20 total goals, whereas Jenni Rothery added three goals of her own.

Alanna Cottrill, Stephanie Boyce and Claudia Cook were named best on court for the Eagles, and Amanda O’Malley, Caitlin Hendricksen and Natasha Dimkovski for the Centurions.

O’Malley was named best in final on the day in a rare occurrence a member of the losing team received the accolade.

The Eagles had previously never won an A Grade Grand Final since its inception in 1879.