Beaconsfield owes Mooroolbark defender Jett Hartman a slab.
As the Eagles’ last home-and-away game slipped out of its grasp against Park Orchards in what was billed as a must-win for the double chance, the focus around Holm Park switched to Play HQ, where Mooroolbark was giving Boronia a run for its money.
The assumption was that Boronia would comfortably account for a Mustangs outfit which came into the game with just four wins for the season.
Mooroolbark led for most of the day, before Boronia led for almost all of stoppage time in the last quarter, until Hartman, renowned as one of the competition’s best young defenders, took a strong mark and slotted a goal from 50 to seal the unlikeliest of wins.
Effectively as a result of that stirring Mooroolbark win, Beaconsfield has fallen into a qualifying final.
The Eagles will head into the final against Park Orchards this week having only had one win over a finalist since the first month of the season – albeit, two of the losses have been by less than a kick – and coming off an 18-point loss to the same opponent.
While the margin sounds modest, the visitors felt on top in general play and kept Beaconsfield at arm’s length for the entire second half.
Park Orchards took its opportunities in the first quarter– the period of the game Beaconsfield was at its strongest – laying the foundation for a four-quarter performance as Beaconsfield faltered in patches.
“They’ve got us the last three times by under four goals so we have to find a point of difference and control the game for longer periods and apply pressure and stay in the game,” coach Mick Fogarty said.
“We’re always in the game – it’s just about getting over the top of them so we have work to do this week
We know we get close – it’s just this week making sure we turn these competitive games into wins.
“That’s on us as coaches and players to execute; we’re confident we can turn it around.”
SECOND BEST LEAGUE DEFENCE
Beaconsfield finish the home-and-away season with the second fewest points conceded in the Eastern Football Netball League Division 1 season, behind ladder leaders South Belgrave by only one point.
The Eagles average just 59 points against per game alongside South Belgrave, more than two goals per game better than the next best defence.
That is despite four members of their starting defence – Kobe Shipp, Finn Devine, Ethan Winterton and Connor Mouat – all being under the age of 21, while first-year player Jamie Roberts has also played eight games mostly in defence.
“Our defence has been great all over the ground, not just the back six or seven,” Fogarty said.
“When we turn into defence mode, we defend the ground really well.
“What has been pleasing has been that when the oppo get hold of us, the defence holds up.
“Lewis Downie, we were able to curtail his effort through Finn Devine.
“The back six work well as a group.
“They’re well led by Jack Docherty who has been awesome down there as a senior player holding the backline together.
“All over the ground, we have been strong minded with our defence and not enabling opposition to kick big scores.”
SHIPP BACK TO BEST
Young interceptor Kobe Shipp was tracking well for significant VFL exposure at Casey in 2025, before a nasty pre-season ankle injury put a line through him until the halfway point of the year.
The 20-year-old defender now has nine games of footy behind him and has been named among the best players in each of the last three weeks, taking a big leap back towards his damaging best.
“Shippy has been terrific for us,” Fogarty said.
“It’s taken him a few weeks to get back into the groove and he’s done that now.
“He takes the game on and is good above his head.
“We’re rapt with how Kobe is going at the moment – it’s the form we know he’s capable of.”
JAFAR UP FOR SELECTION
After serving a four-game suspension, Beaconsfield is set to have exciting forward Jafar Ocaa available at the selection table this weekend.
The athletic marking target was awarded the Eagles’ best finals player last year and has 14 goals from 12 games in 2025.
“We’ll see what it looks like, he’s up for selection,” Fogarty said.
“We know he’s got x-factor, we know exactly what he can bring so he’s certainly up for selection.”
EASTERN DIVISION 1
Results R18: South Belgrave 18.10(118) v Montrose 18.7(115), Boronia 9.10(64) v Mooroolbark 10.7(67), Bayswater 5.4(34) v North Ringwood 8.12(60), Beaconsfield 9.5(59) v Park Orchards 11.11(77).
Ladder: South Belgrave 60, Park Orchards 56, Beaconsfield 36, Boronia 36, North Ringwood 36, Montrose 32, Mooroolbark 20, Bayswater 12, Norwood 0.
Finals Fixture – Week 1: Qualifying final: Park Orchards (2) v Beaconsfield (3). Elimination final: Boronia (4) v North Ringwood (5).
