Joe Carmody and East Point are unbeaten in eight matches as Kangaroos rise up ladder

East Point coach Joe Carmody was on the other side of the world when his side lost in round one and they’ve now won eight straight. He speaks on “telling everyone” it’s him and the players standing up.

East Point run out last week in their clash against North Ballarat. Picture: Leanne Willems.

East Point’s Joe Carmody might not concede he’s got the Midas touch but the start of his Ballarat league coaching career has been nothing short of impressive.

The Kangaroos are currently 8-1, winning their past eight games, including wins against other premiership fancies including North Ballarat, Melton and Sunbury.

As it stands, the Kangaroos are the best in line from Ballarat to end the five-year drought of a premiership win in the city.

East Point were the last premiers in 2019 before Melton and Darley won the last two after Covid-impacted years.

Joe Carmody, middle, took over as East Point coach this season. Picture: East Point Football Club.

Carmody has been part of all eight wins and missed the only loss of the year, Darley in round one, after going on a planned holiday.

“I’m telling everyone it’s me,” he joked when asked.

“It was more so we were just outplayed in round one, coming up against some opposition who were really well prepared.

“We had a few guys who were underdone and so forth. We’ve kept developing since.”

East Point’s rise has been led by not only experienced leaders but by youth.

In last week’s win over North Ballarat there were 10 players under the age of 23.

Four of them have recently been named in the interleague squad to take on Hampden next weekend.

“It’s been pleasing to see the development of the young guys plus some of the older guys as well,” Carmody said.

“The competitiveness of our guys has been really fantastic.”

Matthew Johnston is having a fantastic year at East Point. Picture: East Point Football Club.

This has been led by captain Matthew Johnson who is having one of his best years at the club.

He’s been among the best in eight of nine games, which could put him contention for the Henderson Medal.

Carmody said he’s more than in the hunt.

“I’m biased but I’d have him in front at the moment,” he said.

“The footy he’s playing and the influence he’s had in games (has him in front). He’s only had one or two games under 30 touches.

“Brett (Bewley’s) an outstanding player, he’s won the last two so it would be nice to give someone else a go.”

Carmody added Johnson’s brother, Jordan, had also excelled with Bryson McDougall having his best year as a forward.

“It’s the best footy I’ve seen him play,” he said.

“Our leaders are stepping up.”

The rise of the Kangaroos now allows them to push for a top-two spot.

East Point has just one more game outside of Ballarat before the finals and has four games out of seven against those teams from 6th to 11th.

“With the start we’ve had and being 8-1, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we want to make sure we are right at the top of the ladder and go deep in the season,” Carmody said.

“Now we are 8-1 we can assess and push hard in the next seven games to maintain our spot.”

East Point takes on Bacchus Marsh on Saturday at Eastern Oval.