EFL 2019: Heathmont overcomes depleted Boronia in Division 3
Defending premiers Boronia were kept to just one goal as Heathmont improved its record to 4-3 in Division 2.
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There wasn’t a typo on the scoreboard.
Defending premiers Boronia kicked just one goal in a 62-point defeat at the hands of Heathmont on Saturday.
The Jets capitalised on a depleted Hawks outfit to score a 11.8 (74) to 1.6 (12) win at HE Parker Reserve.
An undermanned Boronia was missing premiership players Ryan Henderson, Brenden Rapisarda, Lachlan McKernan, Jess Bolton, Jarryd Rutherford and Josh Hannon through injury and unavailability.
Zak Robinson was also a late withdrawal, but the Hawks expect to get their full complement back after the mid-season bye as they look to build momentum towards a tilt at back-to-back flags.
“It was a good performance from us but they did have a fair contingent of their stronger players out,” Heathmont coach Kyle Emley said.
“We were under no illusions when we play Boronia again they’ll be a different side.”
SOUTH BELGRAVE THE TEAM TO BEAT IN DIVISION 3
MONTROSE OUT TO AVOID RELEGATION
BALWYN FACING PLAYER POINTS SQUEEZE
The result improved Heathmont’s standing to 4-3 — a record Emley said was an “accurate reflection” of his side’s season.
He said the Jets had been “in” every game this year, outside a 49-point defeat against Ringwood in Round 6.
Emley expects his side to be “around the mark” for finals but Division 2 is proving to be the tightest competition in the Eastern Football League this year — just one game separates first to sixth.
The Jets’ ruck stocks will also be reinforced in the second half of the year when Chris Nayna and Cam Evans return from pre-season injuries.
“We’re definitely thereabouts — it’s going to be if we can get a little bit of momentum,” Emley said.
“It’s very close … it’s probably who’s going to have their best team together at the end of the year that’s going to be in contention.
“For a first-year coach I’m enjoying the challenge of it and enjoying seeing a group of guys get closer as the year goes on.
“We’ve had a large list who are under 21 years old and for me that is a real positive for the future if we can keep that group together.
“That’s part of my job to continue to teach them. A lot of them have a lot of talent, it is just about getting those footy smarts up and learning the game.”
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