Tigers, Lions face off for GDFL premiership

A YEAR after a heartbreaking loss in the 2023 Grand Final, Thomson is riding a wave of momentum heading into this year’s decider tomorrow (Saturday, September 14) against an impressive Belmont team.

The Tigers finished the home and away season in fourth and have taken on all comers through their physical brand of football under head coach Paul Lynch.

Thomson co-captain Sam Jacka pointed to his team’s belief at this stage of the year, relying on it to defeat Bannockburn, Werribee Centrals and then East Geelong in last week’s Preliminary Final.

“Last year still stings a lot, I’m pretty close with Jahd [Anderson] and there’s that situation as well, but last year we never really got our heads in the game and were probably overawed by the situation,” Jacka said.

“We’ve taken a little bit out of that in terms of the physicality that is required to win a flag, so everyone’s had their taste last year and is ready to go again this year.”

Anderson suffered a knock to the head at the beginning of last year’s Grand Final and was advised to stop playing competitive football.

Jacka said returning to watch his former team-mates has been a “bit of a sore spot” for Anderson, but the side hoped to see the beloved club figure tomorrow as it aimed to go one better than last year.

Belmont captain Jak Evans said tomorrow would be a special day for not only his club, competing in its first Grand Final since 2007, but also for him as he would run onto St Albans Reserve alongside brothers Jed and Ben.

The Lions have taken the GDFL by storm in their second campaign under co-coaches Andy Walsgott and Brent Vermeulen (playing), improving from 6-12 in 2023 to 14-4 in 2024.

Belmont knocked over Werribee by 50 points in the Qualifying Final before upsetting minor premiers East Geelong in the Second Semi-Final to gain direct entry to the Grand Final.

Evans said it had been an astounding turnaround at Winter Reserve, with the entire club transforming into a new version of itself, capped off by a Preliminary Final finish for the Reserves and a premiership for the club’s inaugural senior women’s side.

“It’s pretty awesome, it’s been a pretty long season and it’s even longer when you make finals, which we’re not that used to.

“Looking back to where we were from Round 1 in that win against Inverleigh to where we are now, it’s pretty unreal.

“Playing with my brothers in our first Grand Final together will be something pretty special as well.”

In the two clubs’ only meeting for 2024, the Lions won by 88 points in Round 4.

Should Thomson win tomorrow, it would be the club’s first senior flag since 2018. Belmont is competing for its first flag since 2007.