Tigers look to high-stakes Prelim against Eagles

THOMSON will have to get past minor premiers East Geelong in today’s (Saturday, September 7) Preliminary Final to get another chance at Geelong & District Football League (GDFL) premiership glory, with memories from last year still lingering.

The Tigers exploded in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s Semi-Final to defeat Werribee Centrals by 10 goals, 3.12 (30) to 12.18 (90).

However, Thomson is yet to defeat the Eagles 2024, following two encounters during the home and away season.

Thomson fell to East Geelong by 49 points at home in Round 2, before making inroads later in the season when it lost by just 16 points at Richmond Oval.

Paul Lynch’s group has a chance to defeat the Eagles when it counts and according to Thomson’s Mitch Hodgson, the group is eager to return to the GDFL Grand Final.

“It would mean absolutely everything to win the premiership,” Hodgson said.

“After the hurt of last year, it’d mean a lot, it hurt the boys [at the time], and for them to come all the way back this year from fourth would be unbelievable.”

Six Tigers kicked goals on Saturday, led by duo Jacob Knight and Jackson Macleod with three each.

Thomson will hope to continue that form but in a more even fashion, after only finding the big sticks on five occasions in the first three quarters against the Centurions.

The Tigers’ 52-point quarter was an encouraging sign for Hodgson and the team, exhibiting the team’s ability to rapidly put goals on the board.

“Couldn’t ask much more of the group on the day, Werribee was always going to be a tough opponent for us, so to come out with the win made it a very successful day,” Hodgson said.

Today’s Preliminary Final between East Geelong and Thomson begins at 2pm at St Albans Reserve. The winner plays Belmont in the Grand Final.