EFL 2019: Upper Ferntree Gully upsets ladder-leader Doncaster East

Upper Ferntree Gully continues to recover from its 1-6 start to remain in the mix for EFL Division 1 finals after an upset win over premiership favourite Doncaster East.

Aden Quirk gives a handball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Upper Ferntree Gully has skipped clear of relegation to remain in the EFL Division 1 finals race after upsetting ladder-leader Doncaster East on Saturday.

The Kings took advantage of an undermanned Lions side to score an eight-point win at Kings Park.

The 7.10 (52) to 5.14 (44) result improved Upper Gully’s record to 6-9 to sit half-a-game outside the top five.

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“It was a bit of a slog but that’s how we like it down there at Kings Park,” Upper Gully coach Joel Perry said.

“We try to keep teams to under 50 points and most times we win.”

It made a tight ladder even closer — East Ringwood and Park Orchards are also two premiership points behind fifth-placed Mooroolbark.

The Kings have not been in the top five all year after starting the season 1-6 but are making an unlikely finals charge.

Perry said the win was an important step in securing his side’s place in the league’s second tier for 2020.

“Three games left, we’re a game-and-a-half ahead of (last-placed) Wantirna South but you never know,” Perry said.

“With how even it is, they could win a couple and we could lose all three and so could East Ringwood and so could Knox.”

Doncaster East was missing top-liners Simon White, Chris Phelan and Tom Gordon — arguably its three best players — but still sit a game clear at the top of the table.

“Their depth really got challenged,” Perry said.

“Once we knew that we just tried to make sure we looked after their better players and that’s kind of what happened.

“Looking at the ladder now, if we can win our next couple we can sneak into the five.”

Upper Gully coach Joel Perry. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Perry said his side still had to play catch-up in the final three rounds if it wanted to play finals.

“We knew we had a really young squad … we had four, five or six guys that hadn’t even played senior footy before,” he said.

“(There was) a heap of talent but not a lot of structure in their game and (they) haven’t played against men so it was always going to be a bit of a battle to hang in there.

“We’ve lost four games by under seven points as well so losing those hurts a bit.

“Hopefully we can jag a few more (wins) and even if we don’t make finals, the club will finish with some good momentum going into next year.”

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