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Tigers open gap on chasing pack

July 28, 2024 9:25 am in by
Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim. (Darren Phillips)

Recently re-signed Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim isn’t getting too comfortable despite Saturday’s win over North Geelong putting the Tigers in the box seat for an elimination final berth.

With East Geelong all but locked into the minor premiership, Belmont Lions and Werribee Centrals set for a qualifying final meeting, and Thomson preparing for an elimination final, one spot in the GDFNL finals remains up for grabs.

Bannockburn’s 11.14 (80) to 9.17 (71) victory over the Magpies has it six points clear of reigning premier Inverleigh, which lost to Thomson.

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However, the Hawks will start favourite in its remaining three games against Corio, Geelong West and Anakie.

Bannockburn faces the Centurions and Lions in the next fortnight before hosting lowly Bell Post Hill in the final round.

“The cards fell our way (today), but we’ve still got to win two of the next three to be certainties,” Pilgrim said.

“Inverleigh have got a reasonable draw.”

Pilgrim hopes the Tigers can carry their form from yesterday into the meeting with Centrals at Galvin Park.

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“I was happy with the way we played,” he said. “At three-quarter time, we were six goals up, and we probably should have won by more.

“But, the wind picked up, young team, but I was impressed with the way we went about.

In the absence of big man Kieran Fulton (concussion protocol) and key defender Luke Bowdern (hand), Pilgrim was forced to get creative with his lineup.

Two moves in particular caught North Geelong counterpart Peter Riccardi off guard.

Josh Kunjka went into the ruck, while Leopold recruit Rob Maibaum filled a role in defence.

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“Josh has played centre half-forward all year… I was talking to ‘Ricco’ after the game, and he didn’t expect that one,” Pilgrim said.

“He was outstanding; he was best-on-ground by a fair way.

“We sent Robbie Maibaum to centre half-back, which is another one that caught ‘Ricco’ on the hop.

“Robbie was sensational; he kicked two (goals) from centre half-back.”

Unfortunately for the Tigers, after missing all of last year with a serious knee injury, Callum McCarthy is facing the prospect of another stint on the sidelines after injuring his ‘good’ knee.

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“We don’t know to what extent, but he said he heard a ‘pop’,” Pilgrim said. “He will go in for scans today or tomorrow.

“It’s a bit devastating for him because he’s come back from a year off with a knee.

“He said the symptoms are a little bit different, so he’s a little bit optimistic.

“But, until he gets a scan, we won’t know.”

North Geelong’s loss leaves it eight points behind Bannockburn.

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The Magpies’ best hope of returning to finals for the first time since 2017 is winning its three remaining matches against finals-bound Thomson, Werribee Centrals and Belmont Lions and having other results go their way.

John Fazio stood out with four goals, while brother Damian and veteran Derek Fitzsimmons each kicked two goals.

GDFNL: SCOREBOARD – ROUND 15

A Josh Wilson goal with just under two minutes remaining on the clock has all but secured the double chance for the Belmont Lions, which escaped from Anakie Reserve with a two-point win over Anakie.

In an arm wrestle that belied the two teams’ positions on the ladder, the Lions snuck home 9.7 (61) to 9.5 (59) to maintain a two-game buffer on fourth-placed Thomson with three rounds remaining.

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Ben McPherson finished with three goals and Ben Evans two for the Lions, with Jakob Steel and Noah Houtsma their best.

Anakie forward Oscar Barter’s Team of the Year-worthy season continued with his five goals – the fourth time he’s kicked five or more this season.

Michael Crossett and Alex Gear were also good for the Roos.

Winchelsea has overcome some late withdrawals and a first-quarter injury to star midfielder Cassidy Parish to upset Werribee Centrals by 34 points at Eastern Reserve.

The Blues, who have suffered seven losses by 16 points or less, finally claimed the big scalp they had been chasing with a 12.19 (91) to 8.9 (57) result.

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After Riley Berg was called into work and Ollie Manhcke (shoulder) failed to get through the warm-up, Baxter Boddington and Luke Foot were called into the team after appearing in the reserves.

Parish was forced from the field in the opening quarter with a calf issue.

Winchelsea took control of the contest with a five-goal-to-one opening quarter.

Caleb Brown and Jordan Gould kicked three goals for the Blues, with Harry Nagle and Leigh Ellis their standouts.

Three goals for Centurion Carmelo Saliba gave him the lead on the GDFNL goal-kicking table.

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Centrals were without playing coach Rhyce Prismall due to illness and injury.

Thomson has put the finals hopes of reigning premier Inverleigh on life support following a 42-point win at Godfrey Street.

The Tigers led by just eight points at three-quarter time before storming home with a six-goal-to-one final term for a 14.14 (98) to 8.8 (56) victory.

The result has all but secured a finals berth for Paul Lynch’s men. However, the Hawks will need to win at least two of its three remaining fixtures to have any chance of sneaking into an elimination final.

Big man Jordan Camm and Jed Hanneysee, who kicked three goals, were the standouts for Thomson.

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Lucas Boyd also kicked three goals for the Tigers.

Jake Crawley battled hard for Inverleigh, with Nathan Mayes, Mason Dickson and Kieran McNally each kicking two goals.

An inaccurate East Geelong extended its lead at the top of the ladder to eight points with three rounds remaining after seeing off Corio by 58 points at Shell Reserve.

Leading by 12 points after a tight first half, the Eagles kicked nine goals to the Devils’ three to record a 13.21 (99) to 6.5 (41) victory.

Captain John McIntyre’s return from concussion was successful, finishing with three goals in a best-on-ground performance.

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Ben Mulvahil and Caleb Lowndes were also crucial for East.

Destyn Burns and Matty James each kicked two goals for Corio, with Jayden Kealey the Devils’ best.

Bell Post Hill has won consecutive games for the first time this season after claiming a low-scoring thriller against bottom team Geelong West at West Oval by five points, 5.13 (43) to 5.8 (38).

Leading by 18 points at three-quarter time, the Panthers had to withstand a final-term charge from the home team to secure its fourth victory of 2024.

X: @krockfootball

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