EFL 2019: Mitcham moves to the top of the Division 2 ladder

Mitcham has returned to the top of the EFL Division 2 ladder, but the Tigers will need to improve a glaring statistic if they are to remain there before finals.

Riley Nicholas gets a kick away. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Mitcham has returned to the top of the EFL Division 2 ladder.

But Tigers coach Neil Winterton knows his side’s biggest tests are yet to come as they look to confirm their premiership credentials.

Mitcham is 1-3 against fellow top four sides Ringwood, Boronia and Templestowe, a record it will need to improve to lock away a finals double-chance.

And with seven rounds remaining, the Tigers will again face each of their finals rivals before the home-and-away rounds are completed.

Heathmont is a game out of the top four but has the third-best percentage in the competition.

MORE EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS

LILYDALE ENDS FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK

TOM BOYD MAKES RETURN TO NORWOOD

DONVALE MAKES CHANGE OF COACH

WHITEHORSE ON VERGE OF RARE FEAT IN EFL

NOBLE PARK DEFENDER JOINS CASEY DEMONS

Consecutive wins over Heathmont and Mulgrave has realigned its season, putting it half-a-game clear at the top of the table.

“It gives us a little bit of breathing space I guess, but given how tight it is between the top five teams, every loss is just so crucial,” Winterton said.

“I don’t think there is any clear standout so every week is pretty challenging. When you come up against those other four teams, it’s going to be difficult.”

Mitcham started the campaign 5-0 but dropped three of its next four games.

The Tigers led at every change on Saturday at Walker Park before Mulgrave hit the front in the final term.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Ruckman Will Gordon stepped up in the final minutes to kick the matchwinning goal, giving his side a 7.8 (50) to 6.9 (45) victory.

Winterton said there was no standout team in the competition, making for an even premiership race.

“To win against Heathmont, it’s almost like an eight-point game when you play those teams that are around you,” Winterton said.

“We hit a bit of a flat spot there, we weren’t playing great footy for maybe four weeks and I thought we got right back on track against Heathmont.

“That was as good as we’ve played arguably all year and against Mulgrave was just a real scrap.

“It was pleasing we were able to win in those sorts of conditions.

“Mulgrave really thrive in those conditions, they’re really hard to beat and they always just hang around and you know you’re going to get an even contest.”

Winterton said Gordon had elevated himself to be “the most dominant ruckman in the competition by a fair way at the moment”.

Gordon has been listed in his side’s best players six times in 11 games this year.

“I think he put in a pretty good pre-season. He hasn’t played a lot of footy Will — he’s only played maybe six or seven years of footy and he’s just getting better and better with each game,” Winterton said.

“I think his confidence is up a lot more this year and he’s reading the ball a lot better.

“He’s always been pretty good in the hitout department but this year he’s having a lot more impact around the ground.”

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.