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SEASON REVIEW – FERNTREE GULLY

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By Matt Fotia

Ferntree Gully are one of the Eastern Football Netball League’s sleeping giants and in 2021 they showed signs of waking from their doze but ultimately ended the year still asleep, albeit napping rather than in a deep slumber.

 

The Eagles jumped out of the blocks winning six of their first seven games, with five of their early season wins to the tune of 30 points or more, before a late season fadeout saw them slide down the table, with key losses to top four rivals Warrandyte (46 points), Waverley Blues (6 points) and Donvale (1 point).

 

Best Win – Ferntree Gully 11.12 (78) def East Burwood 10.8 (68)

Newly promoted East Burwood had shown signs in the opening rounds of the season that they would be a force to be reckoned with in Division Three in 2021 and came into the game confident of turning over the Eagles at East Burwood Reserve.

 

The home side hit the front in the second quarter following a four-goal-to-one second term before the Gully turned the game back in their favour with an equally strong third quarter, before matching the Rams goal-for-goal in the last quarter to take the points and continue their strong early season form.

 

Young draft hopeful Corey Preston lit it up with three majors whilst veteran big men Daniel De Ieso (BOG) and Sean Currey (2 goals) played key roles in the victory.

Worst Loss – Donvale 10.15 (75) def Ferntree Gully 11.8 (74)

 

The Gully bookended this lost to the Magpies with an equally poor opening 15 minutes and last 10, letting go of a two-goal lead late in the game, and should the season had carried on covid-less, this game would’ve had a major impact on the make-up of the 2021 finals series.

Donvale kicked 6.5 in the first quarter as Ferntree Gully failed to get the pace of the game early, allowing the Vales midfield complete and utter dominance of the ball in the opening stages.

 

Following a few stern words and few positional changes, the Eagles edged their way back into the game, creeping back to 12 points down at half time, drawing level at the final change and eventually getting out to a two-goal lead in the last.

 

The Eagles then went back into their shell, as Donvale recycled possession for what seemed 10 minutes, eventually getting home thanks to a last gasp double from Billy McCormack.

 

Star Player – Kieran Gray

 

The goal-kicking midfielder has the ability to swing games for his side and in 2021 he did so on multiple occasions, one of the key reasons Ferntree Gully started the season in such fine form.

 

Gray kicked 16 goals for the year and was named in the best players on four occasions, kicking three goals plus in three games, against Fairpark, Waverley Blues and Whitehorse (4), named in the Eagles best three players each time.

 

He faded out, much like his team, later in the season, but will remain key to the Gully’s hopes of premiership glory in 2022 and beyond.

 

Off-Season Plans

Wayne McInerney has returned to Bayswater after leading the club’s goal-kicking and will leave a big hole in their forward half and needs to be replaced if they’re any chance of testing the Premiership waters in 2022.

 

And whilst they’re in the market for some tall timber, they should grab a couple more for the future with the like of De Ieso and Currey closer to the end then the beginning of their careers.

 

 

Women’s

 

On the flip side the Eagles Women were almost faultless on route to the Division One Minor Premiership – although they did benefit from playing one more game than The Basin – finishing the season with just one loss to their name.

 

They averaged 58 points (for) per game and 25 points against on their way to 90.91-win percentage and an overall percentage of 233.47.

 

Best Win – Ferntree Gully 5.7 (37) def Whitehorse Suns 2.3 (15)

Hosting a Whitehorse Suns outfit that had been impressive since moving down from the Premier Division, the Eagles were able to really stamp their authority on the Division, finishing comfortable 22-point winners.

 

A flat second term from Ferntree Gully saw the Suns hit the front by less than a kick at the main break in heavy conditions at Wally Tew before a four-goal-to-none second half saw the Gully storm home to get the chocolates.

 

Goal-fiend Abbey Broughan booted two majors as Lisa Walshe did what Lisa Walshe does finding the goals once on her way to being named BOG.

 

Worst Loss – The Basin 5.11 (41) def Ferntree Gully 1.4 (10)

 

Many would argue that The Basin were the best team in the Division in 2021 and they didn’t do that theory any harm in their only meeting with Ferntree Gully, running out, 31-point winners.

 

Ferntree Gully kicked their only goal in the second quarter thanks to Chelsea Bransden, managing just two behinds either side of that term, whilst The Basin had 16 scoring shots across the match.

 

Star Player – Lisa Walshe

 

The Team of the Year forward pocket is one of the best going around the EFNL.

 

She kicked goals in every game bar two, with three consecutive three goal games against Berwick, Rowville and SBL Wolves along the journey. She also missed the Eagles best players on just three occasions, with seven straight appearances in the best.

 

Unlucky not to finish higher in the League Best and Fairest count, but she’ll be key to whatever Ferntree Gully’s future plans are.

 

Off-Season Plans

 

This one is defined but what the folks at Wally Tew think is the most important part of their Women’s Football journey.

 

Do they prioritise a second women’s side or look to break into the Premier Division?

 

Item Number 1 – Figure that out.

 

 

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