By David Nagel
Beaconsfield can once again hold its head high after a competitive performance against premiership contender Mitcham in Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) Division One on Saturday.
The Eagles eventually went down, 17.5.107 to 10.5.65, in a contest that focussed the spotlight on some key areas that Beaconsfield needs to address ahead of its second season in the EFNL next year.
Mick Fogarty and his boys were once again hurt by the influence of a prominent key-forward, with Jake Parente booting five goals – backing up his seven-goal haul against the Eagles from earlier in the year.
The Eagles were competitive in the first half, trailing by 19 points at the major interval, but shown a clean set of heels by the Tigers in the third term, who kicked 6.2 to 2.1 to lock away the four points.
The Tigers had several avenues to goal, with Parente – the league-leading goal-kicker – getting great support from the ‘Jess’ foundation, with Jess Smyth and Jess Uren both contributing three goals.
Beaconsfield was well served by its big-man department, with Harrison Coe and Pat Gerdan providing some impetus through the ruck, while Josh Smith was the most influential Eagles’ forward with four goals.
Matt Johnson chimed in with two for the Eagles, while the grit and determination of Tyson Robinson stood out like a sore thumb.
Beaconsfield has only had three players kick a double-figure number of goals this season, with Johnson (49 goals), Smith (20) and Hayden Brough (19) the major contributors.
The Eagles have really missed the x-factor of Jafar Ocaa, who has played just six games this season.
Beaconsfield – currently eighth – will be keen to finish its inaugural season in the EFNL on a high when it welcomes ninth-placed Lilydale to Holm Park Reserve this Saturday.
A win will see the Eagles jump to seventh place on the ladder, with six wins, a highly-respectable first step in their journey in the powerful Eastern competition.
RESULTS – ROUND 17
MITCHAM 5.1 7.3 13.5 17.5(107)
BEACONSFIELD 3.2 4.2 6.3 10.5(65)
Beaconsfield Goals: J. Smith 4, M. Johnson 2, K. Rowland, M. Wilson, P. Gerdan, J. Bowd. Best: H. Coe, P. Gerdan, J. Smith, T. Robinson, D. Johnston, M. Cameron.
OTHER GAMES
East Ringwood 40.19.259 v Upper Ferntree Gully 2.3.15, Mooroolbark 10.12.72 v Croydon 9.6.60, Lilydale 13.15.93 v Wantirna South 13.6.84, Montrose 14.18.102 v Bayswater 9.8.62.
LADDER
East Ringwood 64, Mooroolbark 64, Mitcham 40, Montrose 36, Wantirna South 36, Croydon 36, Bayswater 24, Beaconsfield 20, Lilydale 20, Upper Ferntree Gully 0.
FIXTURE – ROUND 18
Beaconsfield (8) v Lilydale (9), Bayswater (7) v East Ringwood (1), Croydon (6) v Montrose (4), Upper Ferntree Gully (10) v Mitcham (3), Wantirna South (5) v Mooroolbark (2).
