EFNL Eastern Football League: Croydon defeats Mulgrave to move back into Division 2 top-five

Herald Sun

a day ago

If Croydon is to make it back to the EFNL Division 2 grand final, Saturday's 36-point win over Mulgrave could be the catalyst.
Coming into the weekend sitting outside the top-five, the Blues jumped into fifth with an 11.12 (78) to 6.6 (42) triumph over the fourth-placed Lions at Mulgrave Reserve.
It was a crucial response after a humbling 130-point loss to ladder-leader Templestowe the week before.
In his first game back since Round 8, Andrew Carter produced a best-on-ground performance, while vice-captain James Smith impressed in his first appearance since Round 4.
The result sees Croydon jump back up to fifth, leap-frogging and moving a game clear of Heathmont with three games remaining.
Coach Rhett Jordan said every game was important at this time of the year.
'Every week is pretty important, if you look at Div 2 at the moment there's no clear-cut game any week,' Jordan said.
'Following up from our game the week before and at the back-end of the year, it was an important one to come out on top of.
'We're in a good spot, I wouldn't say we're in the box seat, ask me in a couple of weeks but we're in a better position than we were before the game.'
Croydon made a strong start but kicked a wayward 2.5, taking a 10-point lead to quarter-time.
The visitors extended their lead at half-time, going to the main break 23 points up.
Another three-goal burst in the third term all but ended the contest, the Blues going to the final change with a 38-point advantage.
Each side kicked two goals in the final term.
Despite kicking 11.12, Jordan had no issues with his forward's accuracy and praised his defence's ability to hold a potential finals rival to six goals.
'There were mixed feelings, you can get frustrated with (accuracy) – we should be this or should be that – but as much as that's the case it shows we were getting the ball forward,' he said.
'You've also got to factor in the conditions, it was pretty blustery, it wasn't an easy day to kick goals.
'The defence played really well, a number of boys stepped up with skipper Fraser Smith not playing.
'We got Jimmy Smith back, who's been out since Round 4, and he played really well and it makes a big difference when you get leaders like that back.'
Andrew Carter impressed in his return to the senior side, winning plenty of ball.
Aden Thompson, Jason Prior, Riley Britton, Callum Spurrell and Mitch Chappell also impressed.
'Andrew played really well, it was his first senior game back in six weeks,' Jordan said.
'He played in the twos last week to get a run in his legs and he gave us a good change of speed and a different look inside. He showed his class and experience.'
For Mulgrave, Josh Parker was best afield and Angus Gervasoni, Jaxon Gervasoni and Alex Hardie stood tall.
The Lions remain two games clear of the Blues in fourth and are a game back of Surrey Park in third.
Croydon was missing skipper Fraser Smith, who was injured in last week's loss.
The defender is awaiting scans to decide his availability for the rest of the season.
The Blues face East Burwood, Ringwood and Wantirna South in the run home.
They have dealt with a spate of injuries this season but Jordan said the silver lining was the club's improved depth.
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'It's something we take pride in, we're got really good depth, our reserves sit on top of the ladder,' Jordan said.
'A lot of those guys played in our 19s team that won the flag last year, so we know we've got quality depth.'
Elsewhere in Division 2, Wantirna South thumped Heathmont by 83 points, while East Burwood was too good for Lilydale by 31 points.
Leader Templestowe knocked off third-placed Surrey Park by 47 points in an early taste of finals and Ringwood eased past Waverley Blues by 31 points.