EFL 2022: Depleted Boronia upsets East Burwood in ‘finals-like’ performance

Boronia was dealt a heavy blow with a stack of key players omitted on the eve of a huge clash, but it pulled off what the coach described as its best win for the year.

Boronia senior coach Matt Clark lauds it as his side’s best win for the season.

Down a raft of key players due to COVID-19, the Hawks stunned third-placed East Burwood on Saturday, 14.10 (94) to 10.8 (68), to consolidate their spot in the Eastern league Division 2 top five.

Boronia sits six points clear in fourth spot with a 7-5-1 record, ahead of Heathmont in fifth with the pair set to clash this weekend.

Taylor Leggate (right) kicked two goals in the win alongside Sam Collins, Sean Bramstedt and Luke Hannon. Picture: Rachel Odgers

The changes rung in thick and fast on Friday as Clark frantically moved the magnets in preparation for his side’s bout with the Rams.

Up to six key players including a centre half-back, a centre half-forward and one of the club’s premier on-ballers were among the swag of names to miss.

“We were riddled with six changes from it and they did the right thing … they were getting PCRs to double-check and we were hustling on Friday afternoon trying to get them (the results),” Clark said.

“But that’s the world we’re living in, and it is what it is.”

The Hawks led by 33 points at half-time before East Burwood cut the deficit to just 14 at the final change.

The coach heaped praise on Harry Burgess who filled the centre half-back role, Ryan White and Luke Hannon on-ball, Taylor Leggate in attack with two goals and Jess Bolton through the midfield in a best afield display.

Clark also highlighted late inclusion Sean Bell as a key driver, in his first senior match since June 2019.

Sean Bell was a late inclusion alongside Tyson Henry and Luke McKinnon. Picture: Boronia FNC

The Hawks recorded their highest tackle count for the year according to Clark in a “tough, physical game”.

“(Bell) was given a role in the back half to play tight and defend and attack for us, and he was really good in that space, as well as all the guys we brought in,” Clark said.

“They all played a significant role on the day, but it was our leaders who stood up.

“Overall I thought it was a really good team performance and we were challenged in that third quarter.”

Boronia has won four of its last six matches, with its only losses in that time coming against South Belgrave (five points) and The Basin (seven points).

“We’re certainly scoring better now and we’ve been able to stay involved in the game, we’ve just got to keep working on the little lapses,” Clark said.

“There was no doubt it (Saturday) was our best win for the year, but it will give us a hell of a lot of confidence that the style of football we’re playing does stand up – it was finals-like.”