EFL 2019: Mitcham continues unbeaten start to Eastern Football League season

Mitcham has emerged as an early flag contender in Division 2 after an unbeaten start to the season, but it will get a greater test of its premiership credentials in the next fortnight.

Jake Parente kicked four goals in Mitcham’s win over The Basin. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton will wait at least another fortnight before spruiking his side’s possible flag credentials.

The Tigers have emerged as an early premiership contender in Division 2 this year after an unbeaten start to the season.

Mitcham was relegated as part of the Eastern Football League restructure last year after a four-win season, but are yet to taste defeat in 2019.

MICK FOGARTY POURS PRAISE ON VERMONT

LOCAL FOOTBALLER LUCKY TO NOT BE QUADRIPLEGIC

JACANA FORFEITS ITS SENIORS AND RESERVES GAMES

WALKER TO THE FORE AS PORT MELBOURNE BEATS WERRIBEE

Saturday’s 68-point win over The Basin improved the Tiger’s record to 5-0, and four of its wins have been against last year’s third-tier finalists.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton in the huddle. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Its average winning margin has been 46 points, but Winterton believes his side will get a better indication of its finals credentials in the next two weeks.

Assignments against defending premiers Boronia (second) and an improved Templestowe (third) will prove if Mitcham is a genuine flag fancy.

“There’s no doubt, coming down a division the level of competition isn’t quite as high but I think we’ve improved a lot as well,” Winterton said.

“We’ve got a young group and they’ve just matured and when you’re young, sometimes you’re a little bit unsure and once you get a couple of wins, you can get a lot of confidence.

“Coming down a division has helped but I think we’re playing a much better brand of footy than we were last season.”

Michael Thompson looks for options for The Basin. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Ruckman Will Gordon was listed at Mitcham’s best player for the second consecutive week, while Zak Carroll supplied class around the ball and Jarrod West provided some grunt in the contest.

“He’s been giving the midfielders first use all year and he’s a really intimidating and imposing figure around the ground,” Winterton said of Gordon.

“He likes to throw his weight around, which you always like to see in a ruckman.”

The Tigers established a 30-point lead by quarter-time over the Bears before finishing with a 18.16 (124) to 9.4 (58) win.

Jarrod West was in Mitcham’s best players. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Winterton said he expected opposition clubs to put more attention into his side after its unbeaten start.

“You play each other twice and some sides three times so teams are going to get pretty familiar with each other and teams are going to try stop what we try to do,” he said.

“If we’re lucky enough to be playing finals footy, teams are going be trying to stop what we’re trying to do.

“We need to be able to respond and play our best footy when the opposition are putting time into us and trying to take away our strengths.”

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

— Unprecedented AFL coverage.

— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.