EFL 2019: East Burwood scrapes past Forest Hill to remain undefeated

East Burwood coach Stuart Wynd has rubbished suggestions his side will go through the season undefeated, with many predicting the Rams will canter to the Division 4 flag.

East Burwood coach Stuart Wynd. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Thought East Burwood would have it all its own way in Division 4 this year?

Perhaps it’s time think again.

Its past two wins would suggest it will have some competition in the flag race.

After a two-point win over Fairpark in Round 9, the Rams overcame Forest Hill by four points on Saturday to remain undefeated.

East Burwood kicked just one goal in the last quarter to hold on for a 11.6 (72) to 9.14 (68) victory at Forest Hill Reserve.

Rams coach Stuart Wynd said “if Forest Hill had have kicked straight they would’ve probably won the game”.

East Burwood’s average winning margin in its first seven victories was 136 points and its percentage was 530.18, leading to suggestions last year’s preliminary finalist would be unbeatable in 2019.

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But a closer inspection of the results highlights the gulf in the EFL’s lowest division.

East Burwood has bullied the bottom three sides — Kilsyth (213 points), Croydon North-Mt Lilydale Old Collegians (239) and Nunawading (211) — but competition against finals rivals over the past fortnight has been much tougher.

“It certainly shows us that we can be beaten and it’s not a one-horse race,” Wynd said.

“I never thought that in the first place. We knew some sides had improved and were going to be a challenge to us.”

Wynd said he had heard commentary that his side could go through the campaign undefeated.

But he pointed to Ringwood’s grand final upset last season in Division 3 to illustrate home-and-away form does not guarantee premiership success.

“From the outside, that’s what a lot of people are saying … but it’s a long way from done. We’ve got a fair bit of work to do,” Wynd said.

“I’ve heard people say that no one is going to beat us, I’ve heard quite a few people say it but I don’t buy into that sort of stuff.

“I think the top four or five sides can beat each other. You’ve only got to have an off day or a few injuries that can really cost you.”

East Burwood led Forest Hill for most the game but the Zebras hit the front in the final quarter, only for Ryan Lepore to nail a set-shot in the final 60 seconds to secure victory.

The Rams lost Scott Davis before quarter-time after the midfielder was taken to hospital coughing up blood, but he is expected to recover for the Round 12 game against Kilsyth.

Brett Kay, Steve Perri and Lachie Gould were also missing but will return after this weekend’s bye.

“We lost probably close to 100 possessions with those three or four blokes, which really hurt us, but Forest Hill were really good,” Wynd said.

“They made it a scrappy game and they were pretty impressive. They probably blew a few chances and could have easily beaten us, that’s for sure.”

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