A seriously broken leg that hospitalised Guy O’Keefe has taken some of the gloss off an important win that has returned Inverleigh to the GDFNL top five with a month remaining in the home-and-away.
Footage of the incident shows veteran Hawk being tackled fairly to the ground by North Geelong captain Zac Schwennesen and his leg getting caught underneath him about 25 minutes into the first quarter.
Teammate and opponents quickly realised the gravity of the situation and frantically motioned for medical staff to assist.
The match was delayed for several minutes as the 2014 GFNL Mathieson medallist was stretchered from the ground.
O’Keefe was then stabilised inside the Inverleigh changeroom before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
As the 35-year-old was being loaded into the ambulance, he gave a thumbs-up to the crowd.
“Just a freak accident,” coach Chris Moore said.
“It’s a tough one for someone who came to the club and unfortunately won’t be a part of our season going forward.”
Moore labelled the 10-point win over the fast-finishing Magpies, which resulted in Inverleigh displacing fifth-placed Bell Post Hill as “reward”.
However, the Hawks, who led by 39 points at three-quarter time, had to hold off a seven-goal burst by the home team.
“Being a rotation down, I knew that we’d be out of gas in that last quarter – we’d gone hard for three,” Moore said.
“And to North Geelong’s credit, they played well and gave us a scare.
“But, for the group, I was just happy for what they achieved.”
Winning has put the finals destiny of the 2023 premiers back in their own hands ahead of clashes with the improving Werribee Centrals, ladder leader Belmont Lions, fellow elimination final hopeful Bell Post Hill, and premiership contender East Geelong to end the season.
“The first time we’ve been in the five all year, so it’s not a bad time to do it,” Moore said.
“But, you’ve got to be there when the music stops.
“There’s still plenty of footy to play out, but it’s just good that we don’t have to rely on other results.”
Mason Dickson’s impressive season in front of goal continued.
He took several strong marks, which he converted on his way to six majors for the afternoon, and improved his tally to 32 for the season.
“The way he contested, he got up the ground a little bit and really started to come into his own,” Moore said.
“When he first came to the club, he had really good forwards around him, and he had to bide his time.
“He’s a boy that’s become a man over the last 12 months.”
Returning defender Brayden Warren also impressed, hard-as-nails midfielder Jarrod Love, and ruck Luke Wilson also impressed for Inverleigh.
Rory Desnoy and John Fazio each kicked three goals for North, with Charlie Farrell and Terry Tseros their best.
Despite the loss, the Magpies remain in third spot, a game and 23 per cent clear of fourth-placed Thomson, ahead of a clash with northern suburbs rivals Corio.
Despite the wintry conditions prevailing at most venues across the region, Belmont Lions and Bell Post Hill produced one of the matches of the season.
The Lions stormed home from 24 points down early in the final term to snatch a one-point win, 19.7 (121) to 18.12 (120), at Winter Reserve.
With losses by East Geelong and North Geelong, the Lions, who re-signed co-coaches Andy Walsgott and Brent Vermeulen for a further two years during the week, are firm favourites to win their first minor premiership since winning their only premiership in 2007.
Ben Evans kicked five goals for the Lions, with Ben McPherson and Andy Wylie each kicking four goals.
Josh Norman was outstanding with a five-goal haul for the Panthers, while Nick Costello is closing in on 500 GDFNL goals after contributing four majors.
250-gamer Caleb Bacely managed two goals for Bell Post Hill.
Werribee Centrals have claimed consecutive wins over top-five teams after marking past players’ day with a shock 54-point win over East Geelong.
The Centurions took charge early in the contest at Galvin Park, jumping to a 24-point lead at quarter-time, and further extending that margin at every break on their way to a 14.13 (97) to 6.7 (43) victory.
Michael Culliver was at his brilliant best, as Kur Kur and Josh MacDonald each kicked three goals.
Caleb Ezard battled hard for three goals for the Eagles.
Anakie has kept alive its hopes of playing finals for the first time since 1999 after claiming its first win over Thomson at Godfrey Street in 30 years.
The Roos, who have re-signed coach Jayke Mawson for the 2026 season, only outscored the Tigers in the second quarter, but it was enough for a 10.14 (74) to 9.13 (67) victory.
Luke Dahlhaus was outstanding in the midfield for Anakie, as well as finishing with three goals.
Jordam Camm kicked three majors for the Tigers, who were without veteran forward Lucas Boyd.
Billie Smedts suffered a knee injury early in the contest and is expected to undergo scans early in the week to determine the seriousness.
Bannockburn started and finished strong on its way to a 54-point win over Corio at Victoria Park.
A 5.3 to 2.2 first quarter and a 4.3 to 0.3 final term proved crucial to the 14.13 (97) to 6.9 (45) result.
Ryan Perkins kicked a career-high four goals for the Tigers, while GDFNL interleague teammate Herschelle Carr kicked three goals for the Devils.
Mid-season addition David Isbister has shown that class is permanent, producing another best-on-ground performance as Winchelsea took another step away from the wooden spoon in beating Geelong West by 19 points at Eastern Reserve, 8.14 (62) to 6.7 (43).
Nick Butters was among the Giants’ best, kicking a game-high four goals.
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