EFL: Upper Ferntree Gully cements place inside Division 2 top four after 48-point win over Mulgrave
UPPER Ferntree Gully posted its fourth win of the season, keeping Mulgrave anchored to the bottom of the Eastern Football League Division 2 ladder.
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UPPER Ferntree Gully posted its fourth win of the season on Saturday, keeping Mulgrave anchored to the bottom of the Eastern Football League Division 2 ladder.
The Lions put in a determined performance in the first half at Kings Park before Upper Gully ran away with an 11.14 (80) to 4.8 (32) victory.
After leading by just 18 points at halftime, the Kings booted six goals to two in the second half to finish with a 48-point win.
“We battled a bit early, they choked us up pretty well, just got a lot of numbers around stoppages,” Upper Ferntree Gully coach Joel Perry said.
“To best honest, they probably dropped off a little bit as well but we were able to open it up and use the space of our ground.”
Rowan Hore booted four goals, while junior product Travis Strange was among the home side’s best players in his first senior appearance.
After starting the season 4-1, Perry declared his side should be aiming for a finals appearance.
But fixtures against seasoned Division 2 sides Wantirna South, Doncaster East and Bayswater ahead of the bye could determine if the Kings are top-four contenders.
“It is a good start but you look at the ladder and most of those teams, Bayswater I think is fifth or sixth and they’re on 3-2 and could easily take our spot if we lose to them,” Perry said.
“I think we’re talented enough (to play finals) and the guys are playing how I want them to, which is half the battle.”
In Division 1, Knox suffered its third successive heavy defeat, this time a 137-point loss to Rowville, 26.16 (172) to 4.11 (35), at Knox Gardens Reserve.
The Falcons’ average losing margin in the past three weeks has been 126 points after a 149-point loss to Vermont and 91-point defeat at the hands of Doncaster.
In Division 3, The Basin had a 72-point win over South Belgrave, Scoresby moved to a 5-1 record after a 35-point win over Donvale, Ferntree Gully fell to a 71-point loss against the unbeaten Ringwood and Boronia had a 74-point victory over Warrandyte.
In Division 4, Fair Park fell to an 88-point loss against the Glen Waverley Hawks.
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