It was a heavyweight battle with the heavyweights removed.
Beaconsfield went down 6.7(43) to 9.14(68) against the undefeated South Belgrave in a clash of two sides likely to be competing at the pointy end of finals, but with much stronger lineups.
For Beaconsfield the list of players missing, headlined by skipper Damien Johnston, proved too strong to overcome against the measuring stick of the competition.
Not until midway through the second quarter did Beaconsfield get its first score on the board, with an undersized backline holding up well to keep the Eagles somewhat in the contest under great duress.
Four goals apiece after halftime, though, ensured Beaconsfield would not overturn the early struggles.
Highlighting the sturdiness of the backline, however, South Belgrave was kept to its lowest score of the season.
Prior to Saturday, the table toppers scored at least 14 goals in every game this year; they kicked just nine against Beaconsfield.
First year player Ethan Winterton spent time on former AFL man Clay Tucker, Connor Mouat gave up significant size against Lachie Benson and Jack Docherty had the job on Tim Smith, keeping him to two goals, his lowest tally since May.
Tucker and Benson scored just one major each.
“Our back seven was enormous,” coach Mick Fogarty said.
“They had some ball coming in and put our defence under pressure but we played some of our best footy with our chain out and overlap and fast ball movement was awesome.
“We’ll keep working on our connection inside 50, it’s a real source of improvement.
“Once we get that right, we’ll kick more scores.
“There was a lot to like despite the result.”
Despite competing hard across its past four games, Beaconsfield has just a one-point victory over North Ringwood to show for it, going down to Bayswater and top-two sides Park Orchards and South Belgrave.
It has resulted in the Eagles slipping to fourth on the table, one percentage point behind Boronia.
Boronia and sixth-placed Montrose are the opponents across the next fortnight, with those results to largely dictate how the Eagles’ season pans out.
Beaconsfield will be desperate to win both matches and give itself the best chance of qualifying with a double chance.
But two losses would put their finals aspirations in some danger.
EASTERN DIVISION 1
Results R12: Montrose 22.12(144) def Boronia 16.11(107), Norwood 7.14(56) def by North Ringwood 16.13(109), Bayswater 9.10(64) def by Park Orchards 12.17(89), Beaconsfield 6.7(43) def by South Belgrave 9.14(68).
Ladder: South Belgrave 44, Park Orchards 36, Boronia 24, Beaconsfield 24, North Ringwood 24, Montrose 20, Mooroolbark 12, Bayswater 8, Norwood 0.
Fixture R13: Boronia v Beaconsfield, Park Orchards v Mooroolbark, Bayswater v Norwood, North Ringwood v South Belgrave.
