Coach Peter Riccardi has likened himself to a “really proud dad” after North Geelong booked a berth in the GDFNL grand final for the first time since 2015.
A week after snapping a ten-year drought of winning a final, the Magpies overcame minor premier East Geelong by 18 points, 10.7 (67) to 7.7 (49).
“Because we’ve got so many young players, I just feel like a really proud dad, and I’m super happy for the boys.
“Two years ago, who would have thought that we’re going to play off in the grand final?”
Scores were tied at three-quarter time, with East Geelong taking a narrow lead thanks to a behind after a seven-minute arm wrestle.
However, a set shot from John Fazio at the 11-minute mark followed by a running goal by Cooper Vaughan less than 90 seconds later gave North Geelong an 11-point buffer that would prove invaluable.
Eagle Andrew Steel converted after some tidy work up the field from 50-gamer Jack Beardsell and Ryan Lempa up the field to pull the margin back to five points.
But it was as close as East would get, with the Magpies kicking the last two goals of the contest through Cooper Pasque and then Fazio, with the latter’s a tidy off-the-ground effort.
Riccardi urged his players to enjoy the moment and admits it’s up to them how they regulate their emotions as many prepare for the biggest game of their lives.
“It’s just one of those things you’ve got to self-manage,” he said. “I can’t control what’s going through their head… (but) they’re all pretty level.
“I don’t think this week will be too much of an issue because it’s two weeks away.
“It’s going to be the Thursday night and leading into the game, I think.
“And you’re not human if it doesn’t play over and over and over in your head.
“During the week, everyone’s got to work. So you’re not really thinking about it.
“It’s just going to be that Thursday night before the Saturday, that lack of sleep and stuff like that, that’s going to really creep in.”
A corkie suffered by Luke Parker, who played in North Geelong’s most recent premiership in 2013, was the only injury concern for Riccardi.
The veteran coach, who led Bannockburn to success in 2019 and 2022, will consider whether to bring gun midfielder Rory Desnoy back from an AC joint injury that has sidelined him since Round 16.
“He’s probably got to start running this week, if we’re serious,” Riccardi said.
“We’ll just take it day by day. He’s doing everything he can to get himself up, and we’ll know by Thursday night.
“We won’t pick him if he’s not ready.”
Fazio finished with three goals for North, with Pasque and Tom Davis each kicking two.
Captain John McIntyre and key forward Andrew Steele both kicked two goals for East Geelong.
The Eagles, who finished as minor premiers in 2022 and 2024, before exiting the premiership race in straight sets, will face the winner of today’s first semi-final between Belmont Lions and Bell Post Hill in the preliminary final.
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EAST GEELONG 2.2, 5.3, 6.6, 7.7 (49)
NORTH GEELONG 3.2, 4.4, 6.6, 10.7 (67)
GOALS: East Geelong: A. Steele 2, J. McIntyre 2, J. Beardsell, J. Ollis, C. Ezard
GOALS: North Geelong: J. Fazio 3, T. Davis 2, C. Pasque 2, T. Tseros, C. Vaughan, O. Riccardi
BEST: East Geelong: J. Fanning, J. McIntyre, S. Lowe, A. Steele, P. Visentin, J. Beardsell
BEST: North Geelong: T. Schwennesen, J. George, M. Habib, P. Cleary, C. Farrell, N. Bily
