AFL Outer East 2019: Wandin defeats Beaconsfield by 15 points

An AFL Yarra Ranges outfit toppled a South East league club on Saturday for one of the few times in the AFL Outer East competition after Wandin upstaged Beaconsfield.

Tom Merlino and Daniel Gorringe celebrate a goal for Wandin. Picture: BH Photography (Bethany Hutchison)

It’s been a rarity in the AFL Outer East Premier Division this year.

For one of the few times in 2019, an AFL Yarra Ranges outfit toppled a South East club on Saturday.

Last time Beaconsfield and Wandin met, the Eagles walked to a 110-point win at Holm Park in Round 3.

But the Bulldogs produced a 125-point turnaround to score a 17.9 (111) to 13.18 (96) victory at a windswept Wandin Football Ground.

“The South East grounds are a challenge for us,” Wandin coach Nick Adam said.

“The way we play football in the way we’ve recruited and put together a side has been about producing a team for Yarra Valley football.

“We didn’t expect the gap on the bigger grounds to be as great as what it is.

“I really challenged the players because we were really disappointed in our output at Beaconsfield that day.

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“We talked at that moment about an opportunity when we get them back at Clegg Rd, but it was only going to be an opportunity if we grabbed it. We knew our style of football and our list would stack up.

“Attitude and effort was going to be everything and I couldn’t be more proud as to how they went about the week.”

Fixtures between South East and Yarra Ranges clubs have typically been one-sided this year in the top tier, but the result ensured Wandin remained in the finals race.

The Bulldogs sit half-a-game behind Cranbourne and could move to fifth if they can account for the Eagles this weekend.

“This one opens the gate again and it gives us an opportunity,” Adam said.

“We want to play finals footy and, to be honest, we’d love to get another crack at Woori in a final.

“We were really disappointed with our third quarter two weeks ago against them.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead but I talked about opportunity, and we want to give ourselves an opportunity to get another crack at them in September, which is the way is sort of looks like.”

Four of Patrick Hodgett’s five goals came in the second term when he turned the game in Wandin’s favour.

Daniel Gorringe returned from a calf complaint and played an important part in the final quarter to finish with two majors.

“He probably goes under the radar a little bit with Gorringe and (Justin) Van Unen inside the forward 50 but he had a fantastic day,” Adam said of Hodgett.

“He is 6 foot 1 and what he does below his knees and in the air is really special for a young kid who is a local and just come through the ranks at Wandin.”

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