By: Matt Fotia
If the winter continues on as it began this weekend, then we are in for a treat. Sunshine, barely a breath of wind and eventually the temperature got into the teens. Here’s five things from the first weekend of winter in the Eastern Football League.
Rampant Redbacks
Tormore Reserve was abuzz early on Saturday afternoon as the two undefeated sides became set to lock horns in Division 3 and the home fans quietly confident that they would come away with the four points against the Redbacks.
Fast forward 20 minutes and the feeling around the ground was completely different.
Brett Rowe’s Ringwood side mirrored that of the AFL’s Richmond with its immense tackling pressure. Every time a Hawks player claimed a possession they were confronted by a wall of oncoming Redbacks. Ringwood dominated the inside 50s, time in forward half, turnovers and the tackle count. Trent Farmer was his usual self booting four goals, Daniel Collier was a bull in the midfield and Nathan Cairns was a general in defence.
The Hawks may have to revisit their high handball game plan when the two sides meet again. Despite winning the stoppages, their tendency to flip the ball around invited pressure onto the ball carrier. A more direct look may be the go when they meet again, or else it could be the same result.
Changing places
I assume everyone remembers the superannuation adverts with one person going up the elevator and one going down? You know ‘same age, same income, same super contribution’? Well, it seems Blackburn and Balwyn were part of their most recent advert. Heading into their Round 6 clash at Cherry Road, Blackburn sat seventh at 2-3, whilst Balwyn was sitting second at 4-1. Tim Watkins kicked the winner in a three-point win for the Burners and they’ve just kicked on from there.
They’ve moved into the five, sitting at 5-3 as the third-highest scoring side in the competition. Balwyn finds itself 4-4 – the worst offensive unit in the top seven, have countless injuries and face a promising Noble Park this weekend, whom are coming off a massive win over Rowville.
11 wins is usually enough to give you finals footy. Lose this weekend and Balwyn will need seven wins from its last nine games, meaning there won’t be much room to move. The Tigers simply have to win this weekend, or they might have to think about September holidays for the first time in a while.
Falcons feathered, Mustangs spooked
All eyes in Division 2 were on Zerbes Reserve on Saturday with another top of the table clash between an undefeated Lilydale and Doncaster East. Despite a fast start the experienced Lions were able to put the young Falcons in their place. Brock McLean and Simon White showed their class with best on ground performances from the two ex-Blues.
Since their Round 1 loss, the Lions have been almost faultless defeating all of those put in front of them. Even better I don’t think they’ve hit their straps yet, they’re doing what really good sides do, winning games when they’re not their best (see wins over Park Orchards and Wantirna South for evidence).
The side that inflicted that Round 1 loss on the Lions, Mooroolbark, has since gone backwards.
Leading Mitcham by 26 points at the main break it seemed the Mustangs would get a steadying win, a chance for them to reset and go again in the second half of the year. Five goals to one in the second-half however saw the Mustangs escape with two points in the competition’s first draw of the year.
If it wasn’t for Trent Georgiou’s late goal, it would’ve been much worse as well. They remain just outside the bottom two but if they don’t get their act together fast they won’t be outside it for long.
Commentators’ curse Waverley Blues have been given a fair amount of praise over the past few weeks. Bryce McGain’s men had got a bit of form going and looked like another possible challenger for that final spot in Division 3 finals this year.
To be that fifth side you have to beat sides below you. That’s what The Basin is doing. It’s what the Waverley Blues were doing. But at three quarter time on Saturday it’s what they stopped doing. A goalless last quarter opened the gate for a late Alex Bakens goal to see South Belgrave pinch the points. It’s not season over for the Blues but they can’t afford to slip up like that again.
On the flip side, that’s a great victory for South Belgrave. The Saints needed a morale boosting win before a tough month. The week off is followed by Ringwood, Boronia and Heathmont. So they may have to cherish this win for a while.
Pioneers back on track, Zebras falter to give Cougars and Lions a sniff
Whitehorse Pioneers looked set to fade into the pack after back-to-back losses to Forest Hill and Fairpark. But a massive win over the previously undefeated East Burwood side, off the back of six Andrew Padbury goals has launched them right back amongst it.
That win sees them third behind the Glen Waverley Hawks on percentage both sitting 7-2. The two sides meet in Round 10, with the winner showing their true premiership credentials.
At Pinks Reserve, Forest Hill lost to Kilsyth who rediscovered some of its early season form kicking seven goals to two in the first half. That win has opened the finals race right up.
The Zebras sit 6-3 in fourth, whilst Kilsyth and Fairpark (who defeated Coldstream) are both hot on their tail at 5-4. Just like their counterparts in second and third, these two sides do battle in Round 10. The winner of that clash might not be shaping up as a premiership threat, but it will definitely show us who is serious about making the final four.
All views expressed in this article remain those of the author and not of the Eastern Football League or its affiliated clubs.