Moonee Valley wins its fifth game of the 2023 season

Moonee Valley coach Ian Denny has admitted his side has “underachieved” in what he has described as a frustrating 2023. Here’s why.

Moonee Valley coach Ian Denny admits he has several frustrations with his side’s season.

The Fog have won five games — their latest a 15.13 (103) to 14.14 (98) victory over Roxburgh Park — and sit eighth on the EDFL Division 1 ladder.

Denny has been forced to field 36 different players this season, often forced to make several changes a week due to injury and unavailabilities.

Most of those issues came in the opening five games where the Fog 0-5.

Since then, they’ve gone 5-3.

“Underachieved, to be brutally honest,” Denny said when asked how he thought his side had fared this season.

Rather than making excuses, the experienced senior coach is concentrating on what his side can achieve for the rest of the 2023 season.

“Early on we couldn’t get our players on the park but that’s no different to any other club, every coach would like to have their best side every week,” he said.

“We’re still pretty buoyant about how the rest of the year looks, the energy is really good in the group.”

Moonee Valley’s Jack Newman in action. Picture: Andy Brownbill

On Saturday, the home side showed what it is capable of doing at its best after overturning a 23-point deficit at the main break to bank the four points.

Moonee Valley kicked 10 goals to five after halftime but it was the defensive efforts of Jack Newman which had a big impact on the result.

Sent to play a shutdown role on Roxburgh Park star Harley Short, Newman was able to limit his impact.

“Short’s a very good player and he was running a muck early,” Denny said.

“Newman did a good job in slowing him down. They got away from us in the first half and it didn’t look like we were in the game.

“(Cooper) McPharlane was on fire and looked like winning the game off his own boot. Fraser Considine spent some time on him in the second half and managed to slow him down.”

Nicholas Robortella. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Nick Robortella was again impressive for Denny’s side playing a pivotal “hard working role” according to his coach.

“He always works hard, he’s got VFL experience and that shows when we need it,” Denny said.

“There’s no flair to his game, he just goes about his business.”

Charlie Aitken, Will Agius and Kurtis Tankard were also among the best for Moonee Valley.

McPharlane earned best afield honours for the visitors while Nathan Carroll, Tom Baker and Travis Cooke won plaudits from their coach.

Moonee Valley will now look to continue winning ways against Rupertswood as the Magpies aim to bounce back against Craigieburn.