North Geelong has completed one of local football’s most incredible turnarounds to claim its first GDFNL premiership in 12 years following a 24-point win over East Geelong in today’s grand final at St Albans Reserve.
39 matches after narrowly avoiding the 2023 wooden spoon with a final-round victory, the Magpies have overcome a slow start, which saw them trail by six points at the main break, to kick six of the last seven goals of the contest and win.
It was North’s fourth win over the Eagles in 2025.
“It’s just overwhelming, to tell you the truth,” coach Peter Riccardi said. “Who would have thought two years ago we’d lifting the cup today?
“It’s an amazing feeling.
“I’m rapt for the boys that have been there and the supporters that have hung around and endured a fair bit of heartache for a little while.
“We can put that in the rear view mirror and celebrate tonight.”
Riccardi conceded East Geelong dominated the first half, but North was able to stay close enough to be able to make a move.
“Our back seven, they were amazing,” he said.
“At half-time, I said to the boys, ‘We’ve been training since October. We’re fit enough. We’ve got to start asking East Geelong some questions’.
“It looked more like a North Geelong game after half-time.
“They were kicking with the breeze in the last quarter, and our stats said they had about five or six inside 50s.
“We dominated territory. We sat up well behind the footy and were probably impenetrable at the end.”
After East skipper John McIntyre kicked an early behind in the third quarter to push the margin to seven points, consecutive goals to best-on-ground medallist Luke Parker and Jordan Purcell gave the Magpies a lead they’d never surrender.
The margin was 13 points at the final change after Parker bombed a goal from outside 50.
And when the longsleeved veteran made the most of an insufficient intent free kick paid against Eagle Paddy O’Brien-Henderson earlier in the last quarter, North had all but done enough.
However, even with the margin at 26 points during time-on, Riccardi wasn’t getting carried away.
“We were four goals up and the bench was celebrating,” he said.
“I had to turnaround and have a few harsh words; ‘Let the game play out before we celebrate. Let’s win this game first’.
“It’s not like we were 10 goals up with five minutes to go.”
Adding to the occasion for Riccardi was the opportunity to share premiership success with his son Osca.
The former Geelong AFL rookie has endured a tough 18 months, including finding himself on life support after suffering a brain infection in mid-2024,
The younger Riccardi joined his dad at Keith Barclay Oval early this season after stepping away from VFL commitments with the Cats.
“I’m just happy for him to enjoy his footy again,” Riccardi.
“That was the main thing we wanted out of this year for Osca – just to come over and play with his mates and enjoy it.
“This is just the icing on top, really. I got to give him a big hug after the game and see his eyes welling up.
“It was emotional, but good emotions.”
Riccardi was also full of praise for Parker.
A member of the club’s last success in 2013, he finished with four goals – the game’s only multiple goalkicker.
“He kicked a couple of ripper goals when we needed him, just to stamp himself on the game,” Riccardi.
“We just had a quick word after the match, and we were talking about how different it is now compared to 2013.
“He said, ‘You take it for granted when you’re young’. But this he’ll cherish for a long time.”
Riccardi also spared a thought for Terry Tseros, who lost his spot to accommodate the return of Rory Desnoy from injury due to a points squeeze.
Tseros, who joined the club from Apollo Bay ahead of the 2025 season, played 16 senior games, including the qualifying and second semi finals.
“He took it really well,” Riccardi said.
“He understood, if it was an even playing field, he’d be playing this week.
“But, unfortunately, 46 points doesn’t go into 44, so there had to be an unlucky one, and he was it.
“But he took it like a true champ.
“The hardest decision in football, is telling someone that’s been going really good for you that they’re not playing.
“”He’d done nothing wrong.”
On the podium after the game, McIntyre paid tribute to the Magpies.
“(You) beat us four from four times this year; you deserve it, enjoy tonight, far too good today,” he said.
“Well done.
“I know we will be disappointed, but try and be proud of yourself tonight.”
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EAST GEELONG 1.3, 3.5, 3.6, 4.9 (33)
NORTH GEELONG 1.4, 2.5, 5.7, 8.9 (57)
GOALS: East Geelong: C. Lowndes, A. Steele, J. Ollis, R. Lempa
GOALS: North Geelong: L. Parker 4, N. Bily, J. Jewell, O. Riccardi
BEST: East Geelong: J. McIntyre, P. O’Brien-Henderson, J. Dickson, J. Fanning, R. Lempa, S. Lowe
BEST: North Geelong: L. Parker, J. Jewell, J. George, S. Reynolds, N. Bily, P. Cleary
