EFL: Doncaster East cruises to 51-point win over Upper Ferntree Gully

DONCASTER East has again established itself as one of the pacesetters in Division 2 after a 51-point win over the previously undefeated Upper Ferntree Gully.

James Locke has enjoyed a strong start to the season. Picture: David Smith/AAP

DONCASTER East has again established itself as one of the pacesetters in Division 2 after a 51-point win over the previously undefeated Upper Ferntree Gully on Saturday.

Doncaster East built on its advantage at every change at Zerbes Reserve to record a 17.10 (112) to 9.7 (61) victory to make it three wins on the bounce after its Round 1 loss against Mooroolbark.

The result leaves the Lions with a 3-1 record after the opening month of the season as they vie for their first piece of Eastern Football League silverware in 11 years after two grand final losses in the past three years.

Off the back of victories against Bayswater and the Kings in the past two weeks, Doncaster East coach Steve Buckle said his side had a platform to launch its season.

“It’s a pretty solid base and I suppose the belief grows when you are having results like that,” Buckle said.

Tom Gordon pulls in a mark. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“We still think we’ll be there at the business end if we can continue to build off that but consistency is going to be the thing for us.

“If we can produce footy like that week-in, week-out then we’ll go pretty close again.”

After leading by 29 points at the main change, the Lions kicked six goals to two in the third term to set up a comfortable victory.

Recruit James Appleby, who won Warrandyte’s best and fairest last year, starred up forward with five goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Box Hill-listed James Locke was again prolific in his second game back from foot surgery.

“We were looking forward to getting him back, he’s obviously had a big pre-season at Box Hill and we’ll get him whenever he is not available for them but selfishly hopefully that is most weeks,” Buckle said of Locke.

“For his development hopefully he gets a game down at Box Hill but he has been instrumental in our wins in the last couple of weeks over quality opposition.”

Doncaster East’s next assignment will be against Croydon ahead of the split-round bye.