By Josh Ward.
Having spent last year settling into the EFNL, Beaconsfield senior coach Mick Fogarty believes there’s plenty of improvement to come for his side over the 2023 season.
The Eagles have started their second season in the EFNL strongly, winning three of their opening five games whilst only losing to Mitcham and South Belgrave.
Last weekend saw them win by seven points against Mooroolbark at Heights Reserve, with Fogarty recently saying that it was an impressive performance from his side in tough conditions.
“It was tight all day, greasy conditions and I was pleased with our boys ability to close it out at the end,” Fogarty said.
“(We had) it in our forward 50 for a good eight minutes and just kept getting returning entries and it was terrific to be able to finish it off.”
Fogarty has also been pleased with the start to the season for the Eagles, saying that the side will look to take that next step over the rest of the season.
“We don’t just want to be competitive, the next stage of our development is to start closing games out and actually winning the games that we’re a chance to win. We also (want to) try and trouble the top teams and stay in the game as long as possible against them.
“Obviously we’re really pleased with our start and the next two weeks will certainly test us against Wantirna South and Montrose.”
Whilst there have been many key factors for the Eagles improvement in 2023, including a change in structure along with some key ins to the side, Fogarty believed that the natural development amongst the younger players was the biggest factor behind his side’s start.
“We’ve got six to eight kids in there that are 21 and under and have played an average of 15 senior games. The improvement of them coming through and being able to compete in Division 1, which is a really tough standard of footy and a real close division.”
Amongst those younger players to have improved include leading goalkicker, Jaafar Ocaa as well as Harrison Coe, Tylah and Trent Stokoe along with co-captain’s Jake Bowd and Damien Johnston.
“They’re senior players leading the way, they’ve been terrific for us and I’ve got great faith in (that they can improve). They’ve been around a bit and they know what’s required.
“It’s about having that consistency of performance as we go from game-to-game and I’m confident that they’ve got that in them.”
One of their returning players in ex-St Kilda man Brandon White has also made a big impact, averaging 26.5 disposals, 20.8 kicks, 18.5 uncontested possessions, 7.8 rebound 50s, 6.3 marks per game to start the season.
“(He’s) been like another coach on the ground, think of Luke Hodge at Brisbane/Hawthorn, that’s Brandon White, just directing what’s happening in front of the footy. His footy nous and his ability to see the game is as good as I’ve seen, he’s been an exceptional player for us.
“He does get sat on but like all good players that get sat on they know how to respond and work their way through it. I cannot speak highly enough of Brandon’s form since he’s come back to the footy club on and off the field.”
Josh Mounter has also made an impact coming back to the side having spent 2022 on SANFL club Sturt’s list, currently averaging 16.3 disposals, 12.5 kicks, 11.5 uncontested possessions, 83.5% disposal efficiency, 5.5 marks per game.
“He’s the fittest bloke at the club and he’s got a strong desire to be the best player he can whether that be at VFL level, he’s an academy player at Frankston, or at our club.
“His work rate and his rebound off half back has been awesome and his delivery by foot has been terrific.”
With their start to the season Fogarty believes that whilst there’s plenty of belief still work to do over the next few weeks
“Internally we know exactly what we’re about, we’re new kids on the block, we respect the fact that a lot of these other clubs have been around for years and years and we’re just finding our way through the EFNL…
“Like I said we’ve got a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks to let the competition know exactly where we sit. But we’ve got a strong inner belief in our group as to what our best footy looks like and where it can take us.”
This week sees the Eagles face Wantirna South at Holm Park, saying that the side is excited about taking on another contender this coming weekend at home.
“We’ve got a great respect for Wantirna South and all the clubs we come up against. We’ll have our work cut out, but we’ll see how we go!”
