EDFL: Burnside Heights outclass Taylors Lakes to move closer to finals
Playing the entire season away from home hasn’t stopped Burnside Heights from rising up the ladder in 2022 as they moved closer to a second finals appearance in club history.
Essendon
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There’s plenty to like about the short and long-term future at Burnside Heights.
The Bears look set to play EDFL Division 2 finals for just the second time in the club’s history this season after recording a resounding 9.11 (65) to 6.9 (45) win over Taylors Lakes.
They now sit two-and-a-half games clear of Hadfield, a side they face in a fortnight, with just three matches remaining in the season.
Burnside Heights last played finals footy in 2019 where it reached a preliminary final before going down to Moonee Valley and in 2021 won just four games.
Club president Justin Peagram hailed senior coach Aidan Stott and his assistants for being able to turnaround last season’s form.
“Saturday was a good win in really tough conditions,” Peagram said.
“Taylors Lakes have given us a really good challenge throughout the season, we were probably lucky to walk away with two points last time we played them. We finished the game strongly and the determination of working on player fitness throughout the season really looks to be working.
“Our players are finishing games really strongly in recent weeks.”
Burnside Heights’ rise up the ladder into third position hasn’t been without its challenges either this season.
The club has not played home games at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve instead calling Brookside home for 2022.
“It is hard for not just players but our committee as well,” he said.
“We’ve got guys who have come to our club and haven’t played a game at Burnside. They train at Brookside then come back to the main club for meals.
“Packing up and preparing for a home game has been a challenge but we’re looking at the bigger picture.
“Our facilities should be fantastic next season. We have three junior teams in the finals series so there’s a lot of enthusiasm around the place at the moment.”
Saturday was also a day of celebration for the Bears with Chris Metcher playing his 400th game of community footy.
The club also celebrated Pink Bearforce Day.
“Chris is a bit of a journeyman in local footy,” Peagram said.
“He won our inaugural senior best and fairest in 2014 before going onto play some games up the road at Coburg Districts. He came back last year and said he wanted to get back involved.
“He took on the under 16s coaching job this year and that team is playing finals. It was great to celebrate a fantastic person.”
*In other Division 2 games, Coburg Districts continued its winning ways with a 12.15 (87) victory over Northern Saints.
John Hardaway finished with four goals for the Lions with Oliver Aitken and Ricky McGill named among the best.
Tamer Abdallah kicked five goals for the visitors in a best on ground display.
Keilor Park reaffirmed its premiership favouritism with a 13.18 (96) to 8.6 (54) win over Oak Park.
Daylan Kempster finished with three goals and was best for the Devils.
Hadfield was far too good for Jacana winning 32.17 (209) to 4.3 (27) as Mark Sabatino booted 13 majors to take his season tally to 50.
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