FOREST HILL FOOTBALL CLUB
Founded: 1967
Joined the EFL: 1970
Season 2015 – Division 4
Seniors: 13 wins, 5 losses (2nd)
Reserves: 17 wins, 1 loss – Runners Up
Under 19’s: 8 wins, 7 losses – (4th)
BREAKING THE DROUGHT
Another season goes by and another year the boys in Green and White go without the ultimate success.
Forest Hill were comfortably the second best side in Division Four last season, however, they failed to make an impact in the two finals games they played and found themselves out in straight sets.
The club is looking to break one of the longest premiership droughts in the Eastern Football League. It’s been 32 long years since the Zebra’s managed to claim a piece of silverware.
The past decade has brought with it mixed results and potential premiership seasons. From narrowly missing finals on a yearly basis, to taking a Grand Final to Extra-Time, the Forest Hill Football Club has had it all.
Some would say that 2015 was the perfect chance. A number of new recruits and seemingly a chance to catch a couple of rival clubs off guard. Although someone should have warned Warrandyte…
2016 already looks like the season where Forest Hill will ‘pull no punches’. They have somewhat already dealt their hand. Following the ‘loss’ of Kane Maghamez the club has picked up a close to a dozen players most with links to new coach Martin Stillman.
Stillman took the Rowville’s Reserves to last season’s Preliminary Final in Division One, showing his potential as an EFL Coach. A number of players from that side have joined Stillman at the Zebras and should establish themselves as regular Senior footballers at Forest Hill this season.
Replacing Mark Shalders 4 years at the helm won’t phase Stillman or Forest Hill for that matter. They look primed for an assault and the club is doing whatever it takes to get the job done.
Forest Hill start the season up against local rivals Surrey Park and Nunawading. For a club in the position to challenge a complacent performance is certainly not on the table. Whilst they may be the tip by many pundits to see the very end of September – how they get there is another ball game.
Forest Hill’s true early season test will come on ANZAC Day when the highly fancied Zebras lock horns with a Ferntree Gully outfit also looking to break a drought of their own. In a game that, based on the recruits for both sides, could prove the Grand Final preview.
#In Focus | FERNTREE GULLY
The Eagles are also chasing an abrupt end to a long premiership drought and would see themselves at this stage of the year in a three horse race with Forest Hill and 2015 Grand Finalists Kilsyth.
