Redemption for last year’s grand final loss is just four quarters away for East Geelong.
The Eagles booked a berth in next month’s decider after overcoming a halftime deficit and a horrific injury to “spiritual leader” Sam Lowe to defeat Winchelsea by 16 points at St Albans Reserve.
East, which won its way into the second semi-final after beating Werribee Centrals in the qualifying final, trailed by 28 points after being kept to just two goals across the opening two quarters.
But in a literal game of two halves, the Eagles restricted the Blues to two majors after the main break, while kicking nine of their own, to claim an 11.9 (75) to 9.5 (59) result.
However, the victory was soured by Lowe, who was making his first senior appearance of the season after returning from a dislocated in the final practice match, being hospitalised after suffering a dislocated hip following a tackl early in the contest.
“Devastating” was how coach Ned Aulesbrook, who was visiting Low in hospital when speaking to K rock Football, described the injury.
“He’s worked so hard to get back for his first senior game this year.
“He was our best performer in the final series last year; he’s the spiritual leader of the club; he worked super hard to get back.
“For him to go down in the first five minutes with a pretty devastating injury that has had nothing to do with what he’s coming back from, it sucked the life out of the joint pretty quickly.
“And I’m sort of looking around going, ‘Geez, is this our day today or not’.
“We’re certainly hurting for him.”
Aulsebrook says Lowe’s injury contributed to East Geelong’s slow start.
However, he never felt that the Eagles were out of the contest.
“We just had to get back to what’s made us really good the last month, and that’s hunting the footy, hunting the man and getting the ball surging forward, which we did,” Aulsebrook said
“And a credit to our young leaders, both Mulvahils (Austin and Ben), Ben Crombie.
“They really stood up today, in the absence of obviously Johnny Mac (McIntyre)… they certainly rose to the occasion today and led from the front.
“They were exceptional.”
Andrew Steele also impressed, kicking two goals.
“Steeley’s had a great month”, Aulsebrook said. “He’s probably playing a different role to what we’ve had him doing.
“He’s probably a bit closer to goal. But it’s a hard match-up.
“He’s quick; he’s good overhead; he can burn you out the back, and he does make defenders think.
Fellow forwards Caleb Ezard and Zac Smith also kicked two goals, as did Ben Crombie.
The Eagles win gives McIntyre the chance to be right for the grand final after injuring his hamstring against the Centurions.
For Winchelsea, in what was the club’s first final in 12 years, Indi Parish kicked three goals, while Tyquin medallist Cam Primmer finished with two majors.
Cassidy Parish, Aaron Cooke and Ryan Williams battled hard for the Blues, who now need to beat the winner of Sunday’s first semi-final between Werribee Centrals and Winchelsea.
X: @krockfootball
