Latest news with #EFNLDivision2
Herald Sun
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
EFNL Eastern Football League: Kyle Viccars game winner, Waverley Blues defeat Wantirna South
With the game on the line, if there was one player Waverley Blues wanted the ball in their hands it was Kyle Viccars. Thankfully for the Blues, that's exactly what happened on Saturday and the club favourite duly delivered in a heart-stopping one-point win over Wantirna South at Central Reserve. Waverley had led all day but a furious Devils comeback saw the visitors snatch the lead with only minutes remaining. From a centre square stoppage, Patrick Savedra made a critical smother with the ball ricocheting to captain Ryan McNamara, his quick kick forward found Nathan Buzza and a deft chip landed in Viccars' hands 30m out. He made no mistake. A 15.4 (94) to 12.21 (93) triumph keeping the club's EFNL Division 2 finals hopes alive. 'We were quite thankful it was in his hands, if anyone was going to kick the goal it was him,' Blues coach Sam Bates said. 'Kyle loves that situation, he was hanging onto the ball as long as he could – I reckon he wanted to siren to go when the ball was in his hands. 'Fortunately, he stuck it through, the ball went back the middle, they threw it up and we got the ball forward, then the siren went, so it was a huge relief.' Waverley Blues burst out of the blocks and kicked seven first-quarter goals to open up an early 31-point lead. However, Wantirna South – sitting second on the ladder – clawed its way back into the match, narrowing the margin to 15 points at half-time. It was a 14-point ball game at three-quarter-time as the Devils wasted a series of opportunities, kicking 2.7. The margin was 24 points early in the fourth quarter before a blistering four-goal charge almost stole the four points. South's inaccuracy would ultimately prove fatal, its 4.7 in the last quarter made it 6.14 for the second half – the visitors finishing with a staggering 14 more scoring shots. 'There was no wind, it was just a game of momentum after quarter-time,' Bates said. 'Wanny South have been going really well and were always going to challenge us, so for us to hold tight and find a way to win was really pleasing. 'That late in the game there's not a lot you can do as a coach, it comes down to (the players') will and want then. 'Losing the lead, it makes you more desperate and the little things matter, the big play was their ruckman taking the ball out of the ruck and one of our young fellas was clever enough to get across his leg and it spilt to one of ours.' Buzza was a standout in the win, booting five goals and providing the match-winning assist to earn best-on-ground honours. Jack Strongman, Omar Mohammad, Matt Jameson, Samuel Hale and Savedra also impressed. Bates said wins like that needed all 22 players contributing. 'Nathan was super, he was really lively,' he said. 'We missed him the week before, he was overseas, he came back into the side and there was a bit of pressure on Nathan given he'd missed a game when we really needed him. 'Without putting it on him, I think he knew he owned the team a big performance and was sensational, really dynamic and finished his work, handed out a couple of others as well. 'All those guys (in the best) have been asked to play roles that they aren't familiar with. 'Matt has provided some real zip off half-back, Patrick has had an impact coming up from the 19s, Sam we've asked to go forward and he hit the scoreboard again and Omar has been one of our more consistent players and is leading the clearances. 'Jack had his hands full with Liam Hewitt but also coming off and impacting other contests was really important. 'Wantirna South is the No.1 inside 50m team in the competition and when they were coming at us, Jack was the most composed and the others fed off his leadership.' The win sees Waverley Blues sitting sixth, behind fifth-placed Heathmont on percentage, in what looms a three-way battle for finals along with Croydon. With two rounds remaining, the club faces third-placed Surrey Park and Bates said his team couldn't afford to look too far ahead. 'It keeps us in the hunt but to be honest, a couple of weeks ago we let ourselves down against Ringwood and we've narrowed our focus to training by training, week to week,' he said. 'The focus on the weekend was trying to take a scalp, it's been a while since we beat anyone above us. EFNL: STAND WITH US: LOCAL CLUB MOVES TO END RECESS LEADER: GET YOUR EASTERN FOOTY NEWS HERE WRAP: LOCAL FOOTY CENTURIONS CROWNED ACROSS VICTORIA 'We're trying to find consistency still, it's the reason why we've been where we've been. 'We've won two in a row a few times but haven't been able to go on a run and we're going to have to do that if we're going to be there at the end.' Elsewhere in Division 2, East Burwood upset Croydon by 26 points and Heathmont pipped Mulgrave by six points to move back into the top-five. Templestowe outlasted Ringwood by 19 points and Surrey Park was too good for Lilydale in a 16-point win.
Herald Sun
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
EFNL Eastern Football League: Croydon defeats Mulgrave to move back into Division 2 top-five
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. PREMIER: KIDS, STARS SPARK DONNY EAST'S FINALS REVIVAL LEADER: GET YOUR EASTERN LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE DIV 4: WHY CHIRNSIDE PARK IS BETTER PLACED IN 2025 '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.
