Leopold has overcome tricky conditions, the absence of three key players, and the previously unbeaten St Joseph’s to book a berth in its third consecutive GFNL grand final.
In a contest where only one goal was kicked to the southern end of the ground as a strong wind wreaked havoc, a six-goal burst in the third quarter proved the difference in the reigning premier’s 9.15 (69) to 6.9 (45) win.
The Lions entered the contest without key defender Tev Nofi (illness), veteran Andrew Pepper (hamstring), who was due to play his 100th GFNL match, and talented young forward Max Annandale (calf).
Leopold had first use of the breeze after captain Marcus Thompson won the toss, but, despite keeping Joeys scoreless, didn’t take full toll, kicking 2.5.
“We kicked 7.8 to 1.4 in the second half, so we were able to learn from the first quarter,” coach Garry Hocking told krockfootball.live.
“We set up to use the breeze a little bit better. You always think that once you get it, you’re an opportunity to score.
“But, maybe, the breeze was one of those really difficult ones that we couldn’t quite get score.
“And they defended us really well.”
St Joseph’s fared better in the second quarter, kicking 5.5, including two goals to Paddy De Grandi, while keeping the Lions to two behinds to take a 16-point lead into the main break.
“At half-time, we just had to adjust a few things,” Hocking said.
“We had to try and open up the forward line a little bit (and) get some run from behind.
“We had to try and lower our eyes around 40-45 (metres) and try and get some shots from there.
“We’ve got some guys who can kick the ball with some length.”
Leopold quickly eroded the deficit, with Riley Stone, in his first senior appearance since Round 2, kicking two of his three goals for the afternoon in a four-goal burst to start the quarter.
Majors in time on to Jake Pitt and James Edmonds helped push the Lions’ lead to 27 points at the final change.
St Joseph’s needed early goals if it was to be any chance of stealing victory but could not breach the Leopold defence, marshalled superbly by intercept king Harris Jennings.
When Sam Scott snapped truly at the 12-minute mark of the final term, the Lions had booked their ticket to the GFNL’s maiden Friday decider on September 27.
However, with Nofi, Pepper, Annandale and Ollie Tate likely to return and Geelong VFL-listed defender Bailey van de Heuvel doing all he can to be fit, Hocking will have some tough calls to make at selection.
“We’ve got some decisions to make, and we’ve got some good people to go back into the team,” Hocking said.
To keep its dream of a first premiership since 2018 alive, St Joseph’s will need to get past the winner of today’s (Sunday) first semi-final between St Mary’s and South Barwon in next week’s preliminary final.
Joeys will be hoping to get back gun half-back Jack Buckley (hamstring), fellow defender Jack Leonard (calf), and captain Alex Hickey (syndesmosis) to strengthen their lineup.
X: @krockfootball
