By David Nagel
Beaconsfield has once again pushed a top-five contender in Eastern Division One to the limit with a nine-point loss to Croydon at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.
No more than eight points separated the sides at any change of ends, with the Eagles taking the lead at the seven-minute mark of the final term after Matt Johnson kicked his fifth goal from long range.
But the Blues had the answers, with key marking forwards proving a handful for an undersized Eagles’ defence.
Goals to Luke Sparkes, after a strong mark, and an opportunistic six-pointer to Mitch Chappell – who created a forward-50 turnover – finally buried the Eagles brave challenge.
Beaconsfield coach Mick Fogarty acknowledged his team’s structural deficiencies, but could not question the effort his team put in.
“We just haven’t had that key defender to nullify the oppo’s best forward, and we’ve been exposed numerous times in that area this year…but…the boys were outstanding again on the weekend and it’s just unfortunate we couldn’t get the W,” Fogarty said.
Beaconsfield started brightly, with clean crisp play a feature of its first-quarter performance.
But persistent rain after the main break, and a surface not at its usually pristine best, took its toll after half time.
“Croydon is sitting nicely inside the top five, we came with a plan, and it was going well until the rain hit…and I think that hurt us a bit,” Fogarty explained.
“Early in the game we were so clean and so good on the outside and unfortunately it became a scrap in the second half.
“But the boys were brave, they were terrific around the contest, but we’re just falling a bit short in other key areas on the ground.”
The Eagles made four changes on the weekend, with Kye Rowland and Jordyn Niezgodka making their senior debuts, joined by Damien Johnston and Casey Wassylko on their return to the side.
Getting games into youngsters, and still trying to win, is a balance Fogarty is happy to deal with.
“Those kids (Rowland and Niezgodka) applied themselves, the whole group applied themselves on the weekend, and I’m really proud of their efforts to push a quality side like that,” Fogarty said.
“Yes we played the youngsters, but we set our sights on winning the last four games because I don’t expect any team I coach to be putting the cue in the rack.
“We’ve got next year to think about and these next three games are massively important for us moving forward in this competition.
“Seven wins, we’ll be happy with that to a certain extent, but it’s not exactly what we were looking for this year.”
Johnson was the standout performer for the Eagles, complementing his five goals with some classy touches around the ground, while defender Trent Stokoe and key-tall Harrison Coe were other influential performers.
The Eagles, eighth, face winnable games against Upper Ferntree Gully (10th), Mitcham (5th) and Lilydale (9th) in their last three games for the season.
RESULTS – ROUND 15
BEACONSFIELD 4.0 4.1 7.2 8.4(52)
CROYDON 3.1 5.3 7.4 9.7(61)
Beaconsfield Goals: M. Johnson 5, J. Smith 2, C. Wassylko. Best: M. Johnson, T. Stokoe, H. Coe, C. Wassylko, K. Rowland, S. Merrick.
Croydon Goals: R. Britton 3, L. Sparkes 2, T. Broussard 2, M. Chappell, T. Dodd
Best Players: A. Carter, R. Britton, A. Thompson, M. McKenzie, J. Pettinella.
OTHER GAMES
Bayswater 5.7.37 v Wantirna South 10.17.77, East Ringwood 16.19.106 v Lilydale 9.7.61, Mooroolbark 21.14.140 v Upper Ferntree Gully 2.2.14, Mitcham 9.11.65 v Montrose 16.11.107.
LADDER
Mooroolbark 56, East Ringwood 56, Wantirna South 36, Croydon 36, Mitcham 32, Montrose 28, Bayswater 24, Beaconsfield 16, Lilydale 16, Upper Ferntree Gully 0.
FIXTURE – ROUND 16
Upper Ferntree Gully v Beaconsfield, Bayswater v Mooroolbark, Croydon v Mitcham, Montrose v Lilydale, Wantirna South v East Ringwood.
