EFL 2018: Balwyn and Noble Park reserves game to go ahead in the Eastern Football League

BALWYN reserves coach James Love has been working the phones harder than Peter Dutton, pulling enough numbers together for a seconds game against Noble Park.

THE BALWYN reserves team won’t be forfeiting on Saturday after all.

The Tigers, decimated by injuries this season, had told Noble Park they had insufficient players for a seconds side for the final round at the Pat Wright Senior Oval.

HAWKS SHORE UP STOCKS FOR 2019

THE EFL CLUBS LOOKING TO END LONG FINALS DROUGHTS

But the Tigers have rallied and the game will now go ahead.

Hello all
Forgot the message from yesterday...its back to normal...3games on saturday
U19s at 10
Reserves at 12
Seniors at 2pm...
@footyefl @BalwynFC

— Noble Park FC (@NobleParkFC) August 22, 2018

@BalwynFC have worked hard over the last 24hrs and we are back to normal on Saturday....3 games of local footy...

— Noble Park FC (@NobleParkFC) August 22, 2018

In the past two days Balwyn reserves coach James Love has been working the phones harder than Peter Dutton and he has 17 players ready to strip.

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He (Love) sent me a text at eight o’clock last night and said he’d been ringing around and had 17 and it might be back on,’’ Balwyn senior coach Rodney Eade said on Thursday morning.

“I told him to let Jo (club football manager Jo Tregear) know and he said he’d sorted it already.

“I don’t know where he’s got them (the players) from. Whether they’re past players and older blokes and friends of friends, I don’t know. But it’s back on.’’

He said it was pleasing the club wouldn’t have to forfeit the points.

Balwyn’s senior team, cut down by injuries, will miss the finals for the first time in 23 years.

Eade said it was the worst run of injuries he’d experienced in his many years of coaching.

“My second year at the (Gold Coast) Suns, I remember we had three players in the seconds. It’s not ideal, especially when they’re quality players. I think the pleasing thing from my point of view, having come from outside, is that the spirit of the club and the group has been terrific. They’ve held together really well. They’re still competing hard. From that point of view some positives have come out of it. But, yeah, it’s not ideal, mate, not ideal.’’

Noble Park stalwart Tim Beech will be pleased the reserves game is back on — he’ll now play his 150th club game on Saturday, not next year.