Bell Post Hill vice-captain Sam Quinn has labelled the controversial Round 14 clash with the Belmont Lions as “one of the best games I’ve ever played”, as the two clubs prepare to renew acquaintances in Sunday’s first semi-final at St Albans Reserve.
It was a result that returned Bell Post Hill to the top five, where it remained for the final month of the home-and-away season.
“It was an unreal shootout,” Quinn told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“They’ve got plenty of talent right across the board.
“It’ll be an interesting contest, but we’ll try and expose them a bit on that big ground.
“Hopefully, they’re used to their small one at Belmont.”
Bell Post Hill enters its first finals meeting with the Lions since 2003 off the back of a gritty elimination final victory over Anakie.
The Panthers conceded the first three goals of the contest, then held off a late charge by the Roos.
“They kicked a few early on us at the start, and then we had to try and settle it, which we did sort of well,” Quinmn said.
“And, unfortunately, once we got the game on our terms in that first quarter, it started p***ing down rain on us.
“They’d certainly come to play. But, we settled and got the job done.”
Experienced campaigners Dyl Witney, Nick Flaccavento and captain Jack Yates were critical to Bell Post Hill advancing to the second week of finals.
However, a handful of young stars playing their first GDFNL senior final also made vital contributions.
The Verschuren brothers, Henry and Lachie, who crossed from South Barwon at the start of last year, Cody Chircop (ex-Leopold), Lachie Wilson, a former Bell Park and Inverleigh junior, and Josh Norman (Ex-Torquay/Lorne) will all be better for the experience.
“Our young talent is enormous this year,” Quinn said.
“Through the season, you forget how young these boys are. Especially Henry down back; I forget he’s 20.
“Every time it’s a one-on-one contest, you just expect him to win or halve it.
“Cody’s second year at the club, and even Lachie’s only 18 years old.
“Norman just keeps continuing to kick goals as he does. And even Lachie Wilson – he’s going to have a massive future in football. Just his athleticism is just amazing.”
Premiership great Tim Barton will be sidelined for Sunday’s clash after undergoing surgery on a finger injury suffered early in the second quarter against Anakie.
He’s been replaced by Luke Mann, who kicked 12 goals from 16 senior appearances during the home-and-away season.
The Lions get back Shaun McNamara at the expense of Jake Wood.
Minor premier East Geelong has included captain John McIntyre and gun defender Jack Dickson for Saturday’s second semi-final clash against North Geelong, also at St Albans Reserve.
They replace Lachie Zimmer and Ross Symonds, who will line up in the Eagles’ reserves.
The Magpies have retained the same 22 that snuck past the Lions in last week’s qualifying final, with a grand final appearance likely the only chance talented midfielder Rory Desnoy gets to play again in 2025.
Both East and North are looking to end lengthy grand final droughts with victory.
The Eagles last appeared in a decider in 2012, with the Magpies’ most recent grand final involvement in 2015.
North Geelong won both meetings between the clubs during the home-and-away season – by two points in Round 3 at Keith Barclay Oval and by 17 points at Richmond Crescent in Round 13.
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