By David Nagel
A six-goal haul to key forward Charlie Muley has propelled Beaconsfield to an 18.15(123) to 11.4(70) victory over bottom-side Wantirna South on Saturday.
The winless Devils went toe-to-toe with the Eagles in the first quarter, before Mick Fogarty’s top-three contenders put their stamp on proceedings either side of quarter time.
Late first-quarter goals to Hayden Brough and Josh Mounter set up a 13-point lead at quarter time, before Mitch Szybkowski and Muley – who was proving too strong for Luke Grima – opened up a 26-point advantage early in the second term.
The Devils replied with a steadier, but when Myles Currie, Szybkowski and Muley slotted six pointers the Eagles were 35 up at the major interval.
The home side threatened a revival, kicking the opening three goals of the third, but Muley and Currie then kickstarted an eight-goal-to-three run through to the final siren.
The Eagles were bolstered in the big-man department on the weekend, with key-tall Harrison Coe joining Mitch Szybkowski and Mackay Bateson on an impressive list of inclusions.
Focal-point Jafar Ocaa and Mitch Summers both missed on the weekend, while emerging talent Hayden Brown was a left-field selection for Collingwood in the VFL.
Muley’s half-a-dozen goals proved the difference between the two sides, while emerging tall Finn Devine gave Coe some superb support in the ruck.
Lachie Valentine, Declan Curran, Jack Docherty and Connor Mouat were all impressive performers in defence, while Devon Smith played a fine game through the midfield.
The Eagles, fourth, host seventh-placed North Ringwood at Holm Park Reserve this Saturday.
WANTIRNA SOUTH 3.1 5.2 9.4 11.4(70)
BEACONSFIELD 5.2 10.7 15.9 18.15(123)
Beaconsfield Goals: Charlie Muley 6, Hayden Brough 3, Myles Currie 2, Kade De La Rue 2, Mitch Szybkowski 2, Darren Minchington, Joshua Mounter, Nathan Wright. Best: Finn Devine, Lachlan Valentine, Devon Smith, Declan Curran, Jack Docherty, Connor Mouat.
Other Games: Doncaster 8.4(52) v Montrose 19.13(127), Mooroolbark 1.6(12) v Park Orchards 16.17(113), North Ringwood 15.6(96) v Bayswater 8.8(56), South Belgrave 15.10(100) v Mitcham 10.4(64).
Ladder R10: Park Orchards 36, South Belgrave 32, Montrose, Beaconsfield 28, Mitcham 24, Mooroolbark 20, North Ringwood, Bayswater 12, Doncaster 8, Wantirna South 0.
Fixture R11: Beaconsfield v North Ringwood, Bayswater v Doncaster, Mitcham v Mooroolbark, Montrose v South Belgrave, Park Orchards v Wantirna South.
