2014 EFL Pre-Season Wiki | Tomorrow: Mulgrave
by Sam Gastin (@samg186)
THE eyes of the Eastern Football League will be firmly fixed on Bayswater Oval this Friday night as Bayswater hosts Mulgrave in the EFL season opener.
After a long summer, EFL football will finally return, with what is set to be a mouth-watering Division 2 clash.
As Bayswater well know, it is a division that promises so much yet offers so little reward for teams who take a backwards step.
The Waters would have played finals in any other EFL division last year, after finishing fifth with seven wins and a draw.
They beat eventual Grand Finalists Croydon and drew with the highly fancied North Ringwood in what coach Neil Winterton describes as a “wasted season”.
This year it will get even harder, with just nine teams battling it out for four finals positions. And where Bayswater will fit into the mix remains a mystery to many.
“Division 2 is just going to be so even this year. It wouldn’t shock me at all if any side in the competition made the final four,” Winterton said.
“We know it’s going to be tough every week, but we know that if we bring our best game every Saturday then we can win.”
Winterton warns of some “inconsistencies” from his young side, while captain Joel Galvin says to “expect the unexpected” from Bayswater in 2014.
“We’ve got plenty of young guys that are ready to step up,” Galvin said.
“They’re going to have days when they’re flying and they’re also going to have days where it’s not working for them… but these kids are great players and they’re going to get even better.”
One thing that can be expected from Bayswater is a dominant midfield.
With the likes of Winterton, Galvin and reigning Wright medallist Daniel Rajab, opposition teams have plenty to fear in the middle of the ground.
Captain and coach alike believe Rajab can only get better, after being named as Division 2’s Best and Fairest in 2013.
“He’s had a much better pre-season this year,” Winterton said.
“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll have another good year and I think he can be even better this season than he was last year.”
Galvin agrees.
“Everyone knows about him now and knows how good of a player he is. But I’m really looking forward to seeing him take it to another level now that he knows the competition.”
While Bayswater appear spoilt for choice in the midfield, they appear to have found another capable on-baller in the form of Mitchell Grubb.
The 20-year-old returns to the club after winning an Under 19s Division 1 league Best and Fairest for East Ringwood in 2013.
Such is the anticipation on Grubb that Winterton already has him pencilled in for a Round 1 berth.
“Mitch will play this Friday. He’s really smart with the ball and a great user by foot. He’s been very impressive.”
Another one to watch on Friday night is Jack Callanan. According to Galvin, Callanan brings an “x-factor” to Bayswater Oval after crossing from Ferntree Gully.
“He moves beautifully around the ground and can sort of play anywhere,” Galvin said.
“It’s a bit of a step up for him, but he’s got a bit of an x-factor and I think he has the ability to win us games.”
With these additions adding an element of unpredictability and excitement to Bayswater’s already young list, the Waters enter Friday night’s clash with an air of confidence.
And Galvin can’t wait for his side to be in the spotlight.
“Having Round 1 under lights is pretty special. The lights and the ground are amazing. And with the atmosphere and the build-up, it’s turned into a great Round 1 rivalry.”