Eagles set up huge second-semi clash

East Geelong’s 42-point qualifying final win against Werribee Centrals at St Albans Reserve on Saturday 22 August puts it into the second semi against Winchelsea with the winner going straight into the decider.

“There’s obviously lots of teams involved (and) we’re hopefully going to hang around for another few weeks,” Aulsebrook said.

“There were some really good results in the netball as well on the weekend.

“Our reserves (football) actually lost before us, so they’ll play on Sunday, but it’s nice to be able to set up camp at St Albans for a few weeks in August, September. The club’s really excited about it.”

The Centurions led by a point at the first change, but a five goal second term gave East Geelong an 18-point buffer at half-time.

Another five in the third quarter and the Eagles were 38 up and effectively through to the second semi-final.

“We knew it would be a bit of an arm wrestle,” Aulsebrook said.

“They’re a good side and they have been all year. The response was really pleasing, but even better was the way we didn’t let them back in the game, which was contrary to the week prior where we had that same sort of lead going into the last quarter and they nearly snatched it from us and probably should have snatched it from us.

“That was really nice to see that improvement across the seven days and certainly something we addressed on the Tuesday night leading into the qualifying final about how we could do a few things differently with ball in hand in that last quarter if we did have a lead, not to sort of protect it, but to go after it a little bit, which was so pleasing.”

Youngster Darcy Martin played in his first senior final and was named best for East.

“His attack on the footy Saturday was second to none and his finals-like intensity was something that was head and shoulders above everyone else,” Aulsebrook said.

“He led from the front in that regard. The stats probably don’t show the impact that he had on the game, but it was certainly the best game I’ve seen him play.”

The only bad news for East was a hamstring injury to captain John McIntyre, but Aulsebrook is far from ruling out the star midfielder for the season.

“I think you’re looking at probably that 21 days, which is unfortunate because that’s grand final day,” he said.

“But we’ll give him every chance and obviously he’s heart and soul of the team.

“He’ll do all the right things between now and then and hopefully we stay alive long enough to have that selection quandary in a couple of weeks.”

This Saturday’s second semi against minor premiers Winchelsea looms as a beauty.

“We’ve split the points with Winch this year and they’re going in favourites as they should,” Aulsebrook said.

“They’ve been exceptional all year and (Ben) Moloney’s got them absolutely firing. (They are) coming off a big win round 18 as well and a week off, they’ll be fresh.

“But hopefully we can bring that same intensity that we brought on Saturday and take it up to them.”

BELMONT Lions won a thriller in the elimination final, sending last year’s premiers North Geelong out of the finals race.

North Geelong led by 10 points at the last change, but goals from Ben Evans and Bradley Michell put the Lions in front at the six-minute mark of the final term.

The Magpies regained the lead, but a Will Maclean major halfway through the quarter put Belmont back in front.

From then, both sides were only able to score a behind each with the Lions winning by two points and booking a spot in the first semi-final against Werribee Centrals.