EDFL: How Burnside is bouncing back after salary cap breaches

Burnside Heights endured a turbulent off-season where it was punished for salary cap breaches. Coach Cole Harvey gives an insight on why it’s like being back at “year one” of his tenure.

Burnside Heights picked up its first win of the season.

Burnside Heights coach Cole Harvey isn’t shying away from the challenge he’s leading.

After a rollercoaster off-season where the Bears were found to have breached the salary cap in 2024, a number of key players departed — before and following the saga.

On Saturday, a side Harvey has dubbed the “Baby Bears” picked up their first win of the season against finals aspirant Hadfield by 23 points.

“It’s like we’ve gone back to year one with our age profile,” Harvey said.

“We’ve lost probably eight or nine guys you’d say were in our starting 22 last season. It’s just such a relief, I’m just so proud of them.
“We just had to back our system. We’re coaching them hard and by that I mean teaching them the way we want to play, not physically.

“The players and coaches put so much effort into it on Saturday. We wallowed away for a little bit but eventually we sat down and said we need to get back to work.

“Being such a young group, we’re going to have our ebbs and flows but it’s all part of the journey.”

With so many key players having departed the club, it has created opportunities for several under-18s to make their mark on the senior side early in the season.

Aiden Dogan, Aidan Walgers, and Ethan Dalla Rosa all played their part in the win.

And the club’s under-18 side is showing its strength having won the opening two games of the season by a combined margin of 241 points.

“A couple of the young guys we played are only bottom aged,” Harvey said.

“We’ll give them opportunities throughout the year and there’s a few others who haven’t played yet I think we’ll see.”

Harvey paid credit to the leadership of skipper Jordan Hughes through what had been a difficult period for the footy club.

He put together impressive performance alongside teammates including of Tyson Iglesias, Benjamin Ryan, Dylan Payne, Habib Hosni and Riley McLaughlin.

“He’s heart and soul,” Harvey said of Hughes.

“I actually said to him at three-quarter-time, we’re going to need to jump on your back if we’re going to get this done.

“He’s huge for us every week, he gets double teamed but is sensational.”

Burnside next takes on Coburg Districts, who didn’t play on the weekend due to a clash with Keilor Park scheduled for Good Friday.

“That’s another huge challenge for us,” Harvey said.

“Damien Cavka has done a great job with their group. Another great test.”

Fraser Phelan-Smith dominated up forward for Rupo. Picture: Andy Brownbill

RUPO PROVING TO BE FINALS CONTENDER

It’s always hard to pinpoint where a relegated side fits in but Rupertswood looks likely to challenge for the top-four this season. The Sharks picked up an impressive 31-point win over Sunbury Kangaroos on the weekend as Fraser Phelan-Smith turned it on up forward with eight goals. Matt McDonald and Tom Markey were also impressive.

WESTMEADOWS ROAR BACK

After an opening round loss, Westmeadows showed why it is the premiership favourite with a 172-point drubbing of East Sunbury who came into the game after ending its winless drought. Young forward and summer signing Hugo Jenkins showed his class in front of goal with eight majors alongside Mitch Church who booted six. The game was overshadowed by an incident which involved spectators.

ROYS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN

Glenroy maintained its unbeaten start to the season with a 22-point win over the Northern Saints in a game overshadowed by an off the field incident. Daniel Ferraro starred for the Roys in the win as George Abdallah and Jake Young kicked three goals apiece.