In this week’s Eastland In and Under column, Media Manager Ryan Long gives you his key takeaways from the weekend gone.
NAIDOC Round
It’s now become an annual tradition for the Norwood and South Croydon Football Clubs to meet in NAIDOC Round.
Through Jamie Bennell and the Norwood Football Club, the Round was first brought to life in the Eastern Football Netball League, wearing the first ever EFNL indigenous designed jumper, in 2021.
Last year, at Mullum Mullum Reserve, both Norwood and South Croydon wore Indigenous designed jumpers, the first time in the league that two sides on the one ground had worn them.
Moving to Cheong Park this season, the tradition continued, with a smoking ceremony that involved both clubs, along with the South Croydon and Donvale senior Women’s sides.
If you would like to learn more about NAIDOC Round and the two club’s involvement, head to Easternfnl Instagram Page, to hear more about the round from both Brayden Kilpatrick and Jamie Bennell.
As for the contest, an even match-up turned out to be a very one-sided affair with Norwood piling on six goals to zip in the second quarter to set up a 40-point lead that they managed to build on from in the second half.
Michael Wenn was dominant in the ruck and left the ground as the Sportsco Eastland Best on Ground award with 25 disposals and 42 hit outs.
A tough afternoon for the Dogs leaves them in a difficult position, tenth place with a record of 3-9. Senior Coach, Marcus Buzaglo stepped aside from his role on Monday, with the club currently looking at coaching options for the remainder of 2023. It’s been a great run, having led the club to a Preliminary Final in 2022.
From the Clouds
Bayswater pulled off a famous win for the club this weekend, coming back from a five-goal deficit, not once, but twice.
The side trailed Mooroolbark at Heights Reserve by 32 points, just one behind on the scoreboard. Despite fighting their way back into the match, they found themselves trailing the Mustangs by an even five-goal margin in the early stages of the last quarter.
In the final term, they won all the key statistics that assisted their comeback.
16 to 6 Inside 50’s, 5 to 1 Centre Clearances, and kicking three of their last five goals from stoppages.
Bayswater star Ben White was at his best once again with 36 disposals. He had seven touches in the final term, two marks, two Inside 50s and a goal. Experienced veteran Bryce Galvin was also massive in the last thirty minutes of play, five disposals, three clearances, two marks and two inside 50s.
A special win for the club made even better due to it placing them fourth on the Division One ladder. With a tough run home, having to play South Belgrave, Mitcham and Wantirna South, this win will give the club a bit of belief heading into those matches.
On the flip side, it’s now the second time this season that Mooroolbark have lost to Bayswater by one point. Flipping even one of those results would see them sitting in the top five. They take on Beaconsfield this week with their season on the line.
Four into Two
The race for the last two spots in the Premier Division of the senior women’s competition has heated up with a month of the Home and Away season to play.
It’s been evident for a while now that it would be difficult to see the top two of the Eastern Devils and South Croydon miss out on the double chance from here.
SBL Wolves and Mt Evelyn hold the third and fourth spots on the ladder with four wins each. But behind them are Vermont and Whitehorse that will be hot on their tail.
The Pioneers broke through for their best win of the 2023 season, defeating Vermont by less than a kick on Saturday Afternoon. Kyla Tracey and Margaret Kershaw brought some extra VFLW experience into the side, both in the best. With the VFLW Home and Away season done, they’ll certainly benefit from having a full side to select from.
The Eagles despite losing may still be the favourites to jump back into the top four come the end of the season, having a superior percentage on Mt Evelyn and an extra game in hand.
