Less than 72 hours after labelling East Geelong as the competition’s yardstick, North Geelong coach Peter Riccardi could be forgiven for pondering whether it’s now the Magpies following their 17-point win at Richmond Crescent.
With most pre-planning for the top-three clash thrown out the window due to gale-force winds, Riccardi hailed his players’ effort in the trying conditions, coming from 20 points down at quarter-time to claim a 10.12 (72) to 8.7 (55) victory.
The result ensured North’s back-to-back losses before the bye didn’t become three in a row, while also maintaining a four-point break on fourth-placed Thomson.
“The boys carried out exactly the way we wanted to play for the full four quarters,” Riccardi, who signed a two-year contract extension during the week, said.
“I know at quarter time it was five goals to two, but to kick two goals into the breeze and keep them to five was ultra-impressive.
“But what really impressed me was our third quarter, where we said we wanted to really bottle it up and if we were down (at three-quarter time) only be down by a goal or be up so they couldn’t put numbers behind the footy because they had to win the game.”
“And we did that perfectly. You know, everything we said at half-time, the boys did to the letter.”
Riccardi was quick to hail the performance of Cooper Pasque, who returned from missing the loss to Bell Post Hill, to shoulder the majority of the ruck load in the absence of Tom Davis.
“Cooper was massive for us,” Riccardi said.
“He and Mitch Habib shared the ruck duties; ‘Pasquey’ probably did 80 per cent, and Mitch went in there for five or six minutes a quarter.”
Riccardi also pointed to the importance of Mark Paramanov’s inclusion for his first game since the previous meeting with East Geelong in Round 3.
While the returns of Jasper George and GDFNL representative Ben O’Brien were also crucial.
“Benny O’Brien takes away Paddy Cleary playing on the best forward,” Riccardi said.
“It has a snowball effect.”
As well as providing Pasque with support in the ruck, Habib proved to be the most effective forward on the ground, finishing with three goals.
Cooper Vaughan also contributed a career-high three majors.
North Geelong doesn’t face another top-five team for the remainder of the home-and-away season.
However, Riccardi won’t discuss finals until the Magpies are a certainty to feature on St Albans Reserve for the first time since 2017, especially with sixth-placed Inverleigh on the agenda next week.
“You can’t rest on our laurels and think, ‘Well, we’ve beaten East Geelong’ – and I say all the time, I think they’re the best side in it,” he said.
“Next week, it’s not just going to happen.
“Inverleigh pushed us in Round 2, and probably should have won it. In the end, we were lucky enough to hang on.”
In the absence of dynamic forward Zac Smith, Jude Payne bobbed up to kick three goals for East Geelong, while captain Joh McIntyre and Andrew Steele each finished with three majors.
The Eagles face a tricky trip up the highway next week to take on Werribee Centrals.
SCOREBOARD – ROUND 13 (PART TWO)
Inverleigh has kept its finals hopes alive with a 22-point win over Bannockburn at Inverleigh Reserve.
The Hawks set up the 12.9 (81) to 9.5 (59) victory in the first half, holding the Tigers to one goal to open up a 33-point lead.
Despite being outscored in the second half, Inverleigh moved to within four points of fifth spot.
Captain Jack Fiolet and veteran ruck Luke Wilson led from the front, with forward trio Mason Dickson, Noah Sneskov and Dalton Grundell each kicking two goals.
Captain Connor Jervies was the best for the Tigers.
Werribee Centrals produced arguably its best win of the season in beating Bell Post Hill by 31 points, 8.14 (62) to 3.13 (31).
The Centurions kept the Panthers goalless until half-time, opening up a 22-point lead in trying conditions at Myers Reserve.
Cam Saliba was the lone multiple goalkicker on the ground, finishing with three majors, with Josh MacDonald and Max Murdock standouts.
Sam Quinn and Nick Flaccavento were named best for the Panthers, whose gap in fifth spot has been cut to four points.
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