Thomson is putting itself in a strong position to challenge for consecutive GDFNL premierships after taking care of an undermanned Belmont Lions by 45 points at Winter Reserve.
The 15.16 (106) to 9.7 (61) result extended the Tigers’ winning run to five, keeping Paul Lynch’s men unbeaten since the King’s Birthday bye.
Thomson has joined third-placed North Geelong on 36 points, but the Magpies have a game in hand and superior percentage.
“I thought we probably controlled the game for most of the day,” Lynch said. “Our inaccurate kicking probably kept them in it a little bit.
“But I thought the way they responded in the last quarter – I wasn’t real happy at three-quarter time – was fantastic.
“We did our stoppage stuff really well, and we were able to control the ball.
“It was a good win in the end; any win at Belmont’s a good win because they’re very hard to beat there.”
Lynch admits that after losing to their grand final opponent at Winter Reserve last year, Thomson came into the contest with a plan on how to enter forward 50 at what is the competition’s smallest ground.
“We probably tried to play a bit higher up the ground and not get caught deep all the time,” he said.
“Instead of kicking it into our forwards from centre half-forward, we tried to kick it into our forwards from the back end more.
“We made sure we didn’t crowd our forward line too – we only had three inside 50 at all times.
“No matter what the situation in the game, we just made sure we only had three, four to the footy.
“We didn’t crowd it, and we were able to beat their press back, so it worked pretty well.”
Big man Jordy Camm was a standout as he split time inside forward 50 and sharing ruck duties with Andrew Jarvis.
“I thought Jordy was very good,” Lynch said. “He would have taken a dozen marks.
“He’s just so mobile. He’s such a hard matchup when he goes forward, and then when he goes in the ruck, if he gets a lumbering ruck, he’s just too mobile for them.
“I thought that was probably his best game for the year.”
St Joseph’s recruit Ben Kamaric and former captain Trav McGuire were also crucial in the Tigers’ midfield, with the latter enjoying a change of role after making his name as a key defender.
“He’s got a new lease of life playing as a mid,” Lyncah said.
“He’s just that defensive mid for us; he plays on their best player.
“He’s getting better with his midfield craft. He’s been a real asset for us to go on in there.”
The only downside for Thomson was a quad injury suffered by returning key forward Lucas Boyd in the second quarter, but not before he had kicked three goals.
“There wasn’t much in it, but we just didn’t want to risk him once he had that little bit of a nick, because he’s pretty important to us,” Lynch said.
“I thought he was very, very good early. He was able to control that forward space, and because he’s so big and awkward to play on, he’s definitely going to be a handful going forward if we can keep him out there.”
Jed Hanneysee also kicked three goals for Thomson, while Ben McPherson managed three majors for the Lions.
Thomson will enjoy next week off before facing an off-the-boil Anakie at Godfrey Street.
The Lions face Bell Post Hill, which remains in the hunt for the double chance.
SCOREBOARD – ROUND 13 (PART 1)
Geelong West has put a dagger through the heart of the finals hopes of Anakie in claiming its third win of the season.
The Giants, who have lost five games by 17 points or less in 2025, including by 11 points to the Roos in Round 3, held off a final-quarter challenge at West Oval.
Anakie closed to within 13 points late in the contest, but West came out on top, 11.11 (77) to 9.9 (63).
In his first senior game of the season, Ted Walliss made an impressive return with four goals, while Riley Croft, Jacson Collins, and playing coach Scott Frangos also impressed.
Andrew Boseley kicked three goals to take his season tally to 56, with Rob Cannon and Bryce Hall the Roos’ best.
The loss – their third in five games since beating reigning grand finalists Belmont Lions in Round 8 – leaves Jayke Mawson’s men eight points outside the top five with five rounds to play.
However, if fifth-placed Bell Post Hill beats Werribee Centrals next week, that gap will increase to 12 points.
Former Lara star David Isbister has impressed in his first appearance for Winchelsea, with the Blues snapping a nine-game losing streak in beating Corio by 57 points at Shell Reserve.
Leading by four points at half-time, the visitors kicked 12.3 to 3.4 after the main break to run out winners, 18.7 (115) to 8.10 (58).
Cam Primmer kicked five goals to take his season tally to 25, while captain Jordy Huff and Indi Parish each kicked three.
Cassidy Parish was also a standout for the Blues.
Playing coach Joel Bennett returned to kick three goals for the Devils, and was among their best, along with Russell Cowan and Nathan Kenyon.
X: @krockfootball
