EFL 2022: Ferntree Gully breaks through for first win of season

Up to eight players marked their first senior victory as Ferntree Gully broke its winless run of eight matches in the EFL’s Division 3.

FERNTREE GULLY has broken the drought.

The Eagles ended a winless eight-game stretch in fine form on Saturday, romping to a 17.6 (108) to 10.5 (65) victory over the Whitehorse Pioneers in the Eastern league’s Division 3.

And for senior coach Brent Kiker, it couldn’t be sweeter.

His charges fell agonisingly short of a maiden victory last round in a draw with Coldstream, after four losses by a goal or less had told the tale of the season. Six of the seven losses had been by 14 points or under.

The Eagles hunt the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Ferntree Gully mentor described the breakthrough as a “relief”, with “seven or eight” players celebrating their first senior win.

“There wasn’t enough Gatorade and water to go around!” Kiker joked.

“But it was definitely a big sense of relief.

“It’s just satisfaction for the playing group – as I’ve said before, it’s a really resilient group and they just needed that reward.

“After the game hearing them sing the song and having seven or eight guys in the middle of the circle celebrating their first senior win, it was really good.

“That’s why we’re involved in footy – for that half an hour after a win.”

Ferntree Gully coach Brent Kiker addressing the players on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Eagles raced to a 16-point quarter-time lead before the Pioneers hit back in the second term.

But the hosts answered to lead by 28 at the final change much to the delight of the coach – slamming on six goals to three in the last.

Kiker pointed to ruckman Daniel De Ieso and midfielder Mitch Tsirtsikos as standouts among a complete performance, lauding 17 goals kicked in windy conditions.

“They were absolutely super with their work in the middle … some of the taps and centre clearances from those two were electric. I reckon Tsirtsikos would’ve had 40 (touches) and Danny was great,” he said.

“But it was right over the ground – the backline was solid as usual, our wings were fantastic and we moved the ball really well – it was just an all-round performance.”

Daniel De Ieso featured as one of the Gully’s best on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The coach is confident his group can build momentum in the back half of the season as it looks to avoid relegation.

Ferntree Gully has a 1-7-1 record and sits two points behind Fairpark and Glen Waverley, with a superior percentage. Two sides face the drop at season’s end.

Ferntree Gully players celebrate a goal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Kiker is hopeful gun midfielder Luke McComb could make a return from a knee injury for the club’s Round 12 match with Glen Waverley.

But he didn’t rule out the dual Vermont premiership star for the clash with Fairpark after the Queen’s Birthday bye.

“We’re pretty excited that we can get on a bit of a roll now,” he said.

“We’ve still got some work to do obviously … but we’ll go into every game in the second half of the year thinking we can win.”