Lions eliminate Eagles in Week 1

LEOPOLD Football Club has again knocked out Newtown & Chilwell from the Geelong Football League (GFL) Finals Series after toppling the Towners by 22 points earlier today (Sunday, September 3), 15.9.99 to 10.17.77.

The Lions’ win over the Eagles earlier today marks back-to-back seasons Leopold has eliminated Newtown & Chilwell.

Accurate kicking led the way for the Lions in today’s Elimination Final, opening up the contest with four goals and no behinds in the first quarter, while Newtown failed to capitalise on early opportunities entering quarter-time on 2.5.17, trailing the Lions by seven points.

Leopold doubled its advantage to 14 points at half-time with the Lions again outkicking the Eagles four goals to three, leading 52-38 at the main break.

Garry Hocking’s side looked to end the game early, breaking out the second half with four goals to lead by 40 points early in the third term.

Newtown had a glimmer of hope before the quarter was up, kicking four goals straight of its own to trail by 17 at the final huddle, 80-63.

The Eagles managed to kick one goal in the fourth, but the Lions put the result beyond doubt with three majors to secure the 22-point win and earn its place in next week’s Semi-Final against Colac.

Leopold forward Mitch Patten was the main man for the Lions, tallying four goals for the game and collecting career goal number 300 in the process.

Oliver Tate kicked a pair of goals, in addition to nine other teammates kicking singles.

Mitchell Burgess, Luke Justin, Daniel Pitcher, Kye Reynoldson, Will Sheahan, Riley Stone, captain Marcus Thomspn, Logan Wagener, and Brock Williamson made up the troupe of goal-kickers for Hocking’s side.

Newtown’s Charlie Harris and Matty Lloyd kicked two goals each, while Connor Fopiani, Braden Hocking, Euriah Holland, Liam Nash, Cameron Williamson and Flynn Young all added a goal each.

Patten, Harris Jennings, Tate, Wagener, Samuel Scott, and Stone were named best on ground contributors for Leopold, while Wilkinson, Ned Harris, Fopiani, Nash, Lloyd, and Luke Maddock were named the same for the Eagles.

Leopold’s win today makes it five on the trot for the Lions, but they have yet to defeat Colac in 2023.

The Lions lost to Colac by 37 points in Round 2 and by 51 points in Round 13.

The two meet for a third time next Sunday (September 10) at West Oval with Colac hoping to avoid back-to-back years of straight sets exits.

Newtown & Chilwell’s 37-year wait for a flag will enter a 38^th year, as it lost three of its last four games in 2023.