EFL 2019: Healesville premiership captain Ashraf Davies returns to Lilydale
Lilydale’s premiership chances have been boosted by the return of former skipper Ashraf Davies as the Falcons look to snap a three-game losing streak.
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Lilydale coach Ben Neagle is holding faith his side can turn its goalkicking yips around as it prepares for a “season-defining” stretch of games.
The Falcons were undefeated in their first five games but their inaccuracy in front of goal has cost them their past three matches.
They have kicked 32.64 in their past four games, entering the Queen’s Birthday bye with a 5-3 record.
Lilydale is in Division 1 premiership contention this year and Neagle acknowledged his side’s conversion rate could “potentially” cost his side a chance at promotion to the Eastern Football League top tier.
“I’m sick of talking about it to the players,” Neagle said.
“We’ve harped on it enough and the players know … you don’t mean to miss goals but I think it’s played on the psyche of the players a little bit.
“I know the guys are doing extras before and after training so I’ve got full faith in the group that they can certainly turn it around.
“First and foremost, we’re getting enough supply, we’re getting our hands on the ball and giving ourselves a chance, it’s just a matter of converting our chances.”
Lilydale’s flag chances have been boosted by the return of 2011 premiership player Ashraf Davies, who was cleared back to the Sports Oval last week.
Davies captained Healesville to its 2016 grand final win and spent last season at Goulburn Valley club Mansfield, where he played the first five games this year.
He played his first game back at Lilydale against Mooroolbark on Saturday and was duly named in the best players.
“He’s going to be a great inclusion,” Neagle said.
“He’d been really struggling with the travel to Mansfield. He lives in Richmond … he contacted us and said, ‘is there a chance I can run around and get a bit of passion back for footy?’
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“Mansfield understood he wasn’t coming back and they obviously didn’t want to sit a bloke out that wants to play.
“He gives us a lot of experience and leadership and is a quality bloke off the field.”
Lilydale plays fellow top-five sides Croydon, Doncaster East and Park Orchards after the bye — a stretch Neagle labelled “season-defining”.
Bryce Batty, Liam Jeffs, Corey Berntsen and Richie Wyles are still come back into the side, and Zak Kennedy is juggling work commitments at Eastern Ranges.
“It’s a massive test for us and hopefully we get a couple back,” Neagle said.
“We’re pretty buoyant, we’re certainly not all doom and gloom and walking around with our heads between our legs. We’re working pretty hard behind the scenes and hopefully the bye gives the guys a chance to freshen up and go again.”
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