Beaconsfield’s senior season is over.
The Eagles exited finals in straight sets in the Eastern Football Netball League Division 1 competition following a 9.11(65) to 10.10(70) loss to North Ringwood in the first semi-final at Pinks Reserve on Sunday.
A season which started with great promise wobbled in a tough fixture through the middle of the season, and three consecutive wins late in 2025 against a trio of sides at the foot of the ladder proved to be a false dawn.
Seemingly playing off for a qualifying final berth to finish the home-and-away season, Beaconsfield was beaten – but still stumbled in thanks to an upset elsewhere, before losing back-to-back finals.
Following the mid-season injuries, the Eagles never quite re-established continuity in their lineup, underlined by a teenaged debutant and Lachie Modica, who had just one reserves game under his belt in 2025, both taking the field in Sunday’s do-or-die clash.
It’s the first time Beaconsfield has taken a step backwards since crossing to the EFNL, with this year’s finish following a 2024 preliminary final loss.
The silver-lining is the strength of their young brigade, with Marley Appleyard establishing himself up forward, Ethan Harris becoming a star of the side, and Finn Devine, Ethan Winterton, Kobe Shipp all playing excellent roles in defence and Jamie Roberts and Riley Hilliard showing promise when they played.
Beaconsfield was playing catch-up all game on Sunday after failing to capitalise on early opportunities, with North Ringwood kicking the only four goals of the first quarter.
But they gave themselves a chance late.
A Brandon White set shot early in the last quarter gave the Eagles the lead, but North Ringwood hit back, stretching the margin beyond a goal.
Myles Currie trimmed the margin back to within a kick at the 15-minute-mark but it proved to be the last major of the contest, with the Eagles falling short.
It was a frustratingly poetic end to Beaconsfield’s season, having won just one of five games decided by a kick or less across 2025.
It was a dirty weekend for the entire club, with the reserves side also eliminated, while the under-18s were beaten, but have a second chance to qualify for the grand final on Sunday against Montrose.
