North Geelong coach Peter Riccardi believes 2024 has exceeded expectations at Keith Barclay Oval, whether or not the club returns to finals for the first time since 2017.
The Magpies enter their Round 13 meeting with Anakie holding a 6-6 win-loss record, with two losses by less than a goal.
Their most significant loss came to finals-bound Belmont Lions by 37 points in Round 8.
“To be honest, if you’d have told me we’re 6-6, and we’ve got an outside chance of playing finals late last year, you’re silly,” Riccardi said.
“We recruited pretty young, which wasn’t about contending in the first year.
“It was about education and teaching these kids how to play footy, with a bit of experience thrown in with the Fazios (Damian and John) and (Paddy) Cleary.
“It was all about building momentum, and, hopefully, the core group sticks together, and in two or three years time, that’s when we want to contend.
“But where we’re at, I’m more than happy with what we’ve done.”
North Geelong enters tomorrow’s (Saturday) meeting with Anakie two games behind Bannockburn and Thomson, who occupy fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
However, the Magpies have a game in hand, and Riccardi wasn’t upset to see both Tigers beaten on the first weekend of the split round.
If North can overcome the Roos for the second time this season, they’ll pull to within a game of the top five.
“But, we’re under no illusions that we’ve just got to keep winning games of footy if we’re to be half-a-chance of playing finals.
“We probably left a couple of games out there in the front half of the season that’s put us in this position.
“But, it’s a healthy competition.”
Star midfielder Rory Desnoy and big man Cooper Pasque are back after missing the pre-bye win over Geelong West, with Jye Kenna also returning.
They replace injured duo Bryce Brockenshire and Dylan Fisher, as well as Muoteer Reech.
Reech, who started the season with GFNL club South Barwon and trained with the Geelong VFL squad, has returned to the WAFL, where he will link up with East Fremantle again.
North Geelong will wear its recently unveiled Indigenous jumper against the Roos.
GDFNL: AT SELECTION – ROUND 13 (PART 2)
Inverleigh has named former junior Harvey Bauer for his senior debut among three changes ahead of the must-win clash with Bell Post Hill at Morton Power Oval.
Captain Jack Fiolet and star midfielder Matt Tyquin have also been named.
They replace Kad McEwan-Walsh (concussion), Ryan Robertson (soreness), and Jake Templeton (unavailable).
The Panthers welcome back gun onballer Boe Collins from concussion and defenders Daniel Banister and Jett Hermann, with Tyran Lynch recalled.
They replace Daniel Clissold (knee), and omitted trio Brody Washington, Thomas Verschuren, and Ben Tekin.
Belmont Lions have made seven changes for its meeting with Corio at Shell Reserve.
Five of the outs are forced, with Harry Thompson (knee), Zac Moore (shoulder), Brock Mahoney (ankle), Sam Jones (unavailable) and Braeden Eddy (unavailable) unable to be considered.
Jake Clark and Lachie Dalkin have been dropped.
The inclusions are Corey Jarrad, Jake Wood, Josh Allen, David Allitt, Dylan Piazza, Jed Evans and David Sanzaro.
For former junior Sanzaro, it’s his first senior game for the Lions. He played 56 games for Bellarine club Newcomb between 2016-19.
The Devils, who will join North Geelong and Anakie in wearing their indigenous-themed jumper, have lost Jayden Kealey and Brayden Cotter to illness, replaced by Tom Short and Tom Smith.
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