AFL Outer East: Belgrave showing great signs early in season

Belgrave continues to show early-season signs of improvement, building on a solid showing against Monbulk in round one with a 21-point win over Emerald

Belgrave has made its best start in a number of seasons. Picture: Robyn Kuys

Belgrave continues to show early-season signs of improvement, building on a solid showing against Monbulk in round one with a 21-point win over Emerald.

The Magpies made the trip to Emerald and saluted 11.10 (76) to 8.7 (55) in their AFL Outer-East Division 1 clash.

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Coach Richard Brown hugs club legend Thomas Stubley after Belgrave’s premiership win. Picture: Robyn Kuys

After opening a 25-point lead at halftime, Belgrave looked well on the way to a comfortable win but, when club legend Tom Stubley was knocked out, the young Magpies faltered.

“He’s the heart and soul of Belgrave, a real pit bull,” coach Nathan Johns said. “And a lot of the guys had never seen him get injured. It probably shook the boys a little bit.”

But, led by an inspiring game from Aaron Johns, Belgrave rallied and saw off the Emerald challenge.

Nathan Johns said he’d been greatly encouraged by the Magpies’ effort in the loss to Monbulk.

New Belgrave coach Nathan Johns.

“I was really impressed with how we played against Monbulk,”he said. “I watched the vision again and gave the vision to the guys and our pressure around the footy was good and getting numbers back. What we lacked was the connection from mid to forward. Every quarter we’d dominate for 15 to 20 minutes and then give up junk time goals. And that can deflate a group.”

A bit of midweek tinkering, however, brought the desired result.

“I was very happy, we focused on a few deficiencies internally,” Johns said. “It’s a new system of footy and a new model.”

Joshua Richmond and Xavier Pauli bagged three each for the Magpies while Johns, Matt Johnson and Christopher Rak bankrolled the win. For the Bombers Rogan Goonan kicked three while Nick Jansen and Jarrod Marshall were best.

Meanwhile, Pakenham scored a 10.13 (73) to 9.4 (58) win over Officer at Toomuc Reserve on Anzac Day.

Doveton built on its Good Friday drought-breaking win when it made the long trip to Warburton Millgrove’s Mac Sparke Oval and returned with a 15.11 (101) to 11.11 (77) win.

And, in a battle of two early finals fancies, a wayward Monbulk edged to a one-goal win over Mount Evelyn, 10.22 (82) to 11.10 (76) at the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve.

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