EFL 2018: Upper Ferntree Gully set to contend first Division 2 finals series since 1983

UPPER Ferntree Gully coach Joel Perry believes his side is “the third or fourth most talented team” set to contest this year’s Division 2 finals series.

UPPER Ferntree Gully coach Joel Perry believes his side is “the third or fourth most talented team” set to contest this year’s Division 2 finals series.

The Kings have qualified for their first second tier finals series since 1983 after logging 14 wins in the home and away season to set up a semi-final against Doncaster East on Saturday.

BASTINAC OUTLINES DEMONS’ RECRUITING PLANS

VICTORIA’S WORST TEAMS TO FACE OFF

THE VFL PLAYERS THAT COULD SHAPE EFL FINALS

While not selling Upper Gully’s premiership hopes short, Perry said Lilydale and perennial contender Doncaster East were the teams to beat for the 2018 flag.

Lilydale will meet Bayswater in a cutthroat final on Sunday.

Upper Ferntree Gully celebrates its 2016 grand final win. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I still think Lilydale and Doncaster East have more talent than us,” Perry said.

“Donny East’s AFL experience (with Brock McLean and Simon White) has got to count for something and time will tell what will happen.

“Lilydale has just got some really good speed and that’s how they beat teams with their smalls and the way they move the ball, so they’re always going to be dangerous.

“Donny East’s talent in its top end is really strong, its two key forwards (Jake Summers and Tom Gordon) are very good … they’ve got some guys who have played a bit of VFL footy as well so from that point of view they’re much more experienced than us.”

The Kings are hoping to become just the fifth EFL club to win a Division 2 premiership just two years after claiming the Division 3 flag.

About half the team from the 2016 grand final will spearhead Upper Gully’s premiership hopes this campaign.

Justin Laughlin flies for a mark. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I suppose the good thing in our group at the moment is that having played in a premiership only a couple of years ago, a lot of those young guys are the ones driving our improvement so far this year,” Perry said.

“Some of them were 17, 18 when they played in that so they’re a bit older and they’ve been able to develop a bit better as well.

“When I took the job I had that in mind, obviously they’ve had success recently in a lower division but it is still the experience you want.”

Upper Gully will meet Doncaster East at Tormore Reserve from 2pm, with the winner booking the first place in the grand final.

MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS

WILLIAMS STARS AS SCORESBY ENDS FINALS DROUGHT

HAWKS SHORE UP STOCKS FOR 2019

BULLS GREAT HANGS UP THE BOOTS