By David Nagel
Beaconsfield will embark on a critical month of its season on the back of a three-game winning streak after the Eagles survived a strong North Ringwood challenge at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.
Mick Fogarty’s troops prevailed by 25 points – 11.12(78) to 8.5(53) – on a day where some big hits and great goals kept the highlight’s staff working overtime.
Fogarty made five changes to the side that defeated Wantirna South by 53 points last week, with star defender Brandon White highlighting the list of inclusions after a three-week stint on the sidelines.
Hayden Brown returned after his VFL debut for Collingwood, while Ethan Harris was back on the park in his first game since round eight.
Michael Cameron played his first senior game for the season, while crucial big-man Casey Wassylko was in the same boat after two weeks gaining fitness in the twos.
Wassylko had a big say in the early proceedings.
He won the first ruck contest of the afternoon, then another, Tom Hawkins style, to set up Darren Minchington for the opening goal of the day.
Inspired by Wassylko, Charlie Muley then also grabbed a ball directly from a ruck contest and slammed home the Eagles second to make it 12-0 after six minutes.
But back-to-back goals to Saints’ skipper Aaron Fenton, the second in heavy traffic, quickly tied up the scores.
Beaconsfield winger Lachie Modica then played an astounding 40 seconds of football that he can brag about forever.
Modica, a loping, long-striding left-footer, first gathered the ball on centre wing and took off.
He took a bounce, then strode to 50 metres out, where a penetrating long bomb whacked into the tallest woodwork.
A foot further to the left…it would have been goal of the year.
From the resultant kick-in, Beaconsfield turned the ball over, with the Sherrin once again finding itself in the safe hands of Modica.
This time he didn’t miss; launching from 60 metres out, just 40 seconds after his first attempt, to snag a genuine Goal of the Year contender.
Five minutes later he showed his versatility; jagging a clever dribble-kick goal from close range to open up a 14-point advantage.
The day then came to an end for classy midfielder Damien Johnston, who was knocked out cold when his head hit the ground after a big hit from former Richmond player Robin Nahas.
Kade De La Rue then showed his class in front of goal; giving the Eagles a healthy 21-point lead at quarter time.
A dour second term saw the margin extend by the smallest possible margin, to 22 at the main break, before the Saints made their run for glory in the third term.
Devon Smith brilliantly answered the opening goal of the quarter from Ben Livingstone, but when Brodie Vellacott and Luke Patterson snared six pointers the Saints were just 11 points adrift at the final change.
Fittingly it was Modica that got the ball rolling for Beaconsfield in the final stanza, landing a set shot after intercepting a kick-in from full back.
Subsequent goals to Minchington and Muley gave the Eagles a 29-point lead and a guaranteed four premiership points.
Modica led the scoring for the Eagles with three goals; while two each to Minchington, Muley and Hayden Brough provided enough ammunition to get the third-placed Eagles across the line.
De La Rue was terrific for the winners through the midfield, while Connor Mouat continues to show development down back.
The Eagles have now won three on the bounce, against Bayswater (7th), Wantirna South (10th) and North Ringwood (8th), but face a season-defining next four weeks of footy.
They can basically lock away a place in this year’s finals series with a win over Mooroolbark (6th) this week, before games against South Belgrave (4th), Montrose (2nd) and Park Orchards (1st) give a clearer indication of where they sit in the pecking order.
The Eagles will have to do it without long-time captain Jake Bowd, who is pushing hard to return for finals after suffering a long-term injury in round seven, while Johnston will likely miss one or two via upgraded concussion protocols this year.
EASTERN DIVISION ONE
BEACONSFIELD 5.4 6.7 7.9 11.12(78)
NORTH RINGWOOD 2.1 3.3 6.4 8.5(53)
Beaconsfield Goals: Lachlan Modica 3, Hayden Brough 2, Darren Minchington 2, Charlie Muley 2, Kade De La Rue, Devon Smith. Best: Kade De La Rue, Myles Currie, Casey Wassylko, Connor Mouat, Lachlan Modica, Darren Minchington.
North Ringwood Goals: Brodie Vellacott 3, Aaron Fenton 2, Luke Patterson 2, Ben Livingstone. Best: Brodie Vellacott, Kieran Rice, Aaron Fenton, Jackson Braunthal, Patrick Dunne, Ben Livingstone.
Other Games R11: Bayswater 15.12(102) v Doncaster 9.8(62), Mitcham 15.13(103) v Mooroolbark 13.7(85), Montrose 16.14(110) v South Belgrave 9.11(65), Park Orchards 19.20(134) v Wantirna South 11.9(75).
Ladder: Park Orchards 40, Montrose, Beaconsfield, South Belgrave 32, Mitcham 28, Mooroolbark 20, Bayswater 16, North Ringwood 12, Doncaster 8, Wantirna South 0.
Fixture R12: Mooroolbark (6) v Beaconsfield (3), Mitcham (5) v Montrose (2), Park Orchards (1) v North Ringwood (8), South Belgrave (4) v Doncaster (9), Wantirna South (10) v Bayswater (7).
