EFL 2022: Ferntree Gully defeats Fairpark by 63 points in Division 3

The Eagles climbed off the bottom of the EFL Division 3 ladder on Saturday with a powerful performance against Fairpark.

FERNTREE GULLY’s hopes of remaining in the Eastern league’s Division 3 have received a major boost.

The Eagles climbed off the bottom of the ladder on Saturday posting a 63-point win over Fairpark, 17.19 (121) to 8.10 (58), with the result sending the Lions to the foot of the table.

It marks a second consecutive victory for Ferntree Gully, to go with a draw in the past three outings following a 0-7 start to the season.

The move of Alex Bull into defence has been a revelation for the Eagles, the coach says. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The past month’s revival now has the Eagles sitting eighth of the division’s nine teams, just two points behind Glen Waverley which knocked over Scoresby on Saturday. Two sides face the drop from the division at season’s end.

The sides traded goals in a tight opening half with the Eagles ahead by just three at the main break, before piling on 12 majors to three after half-time.

But they had to do it a man down on the bench, with key player Mathew Camera stretchered from the field in the shadows of half-time with what one trainer suspected to be a broken leg.

Ferntree Gully senior coach Brent Kiker credited his side’s resolve after the main break and said his group sought to repay the club following a winless first seven weeks.

“We knew Fairpark were going to come out and have a go – that’s what they do, they’re a proud club,” he said.

“We thought if we can just withstand that early and then get momentum.

“We’ve split the season down to little blocks now, and it’s about ticking those boxes and getting those results that we’re after.

“There’s a confidence and an underlying sense of we owe the club and we owe the jumper with the first half of the season.”

Ferntree Gully coach Brent Kiker. Picture: Valeriu Campan

There was no shortage of options in attack for the Gully as Kieran Gray booted five alongside Jack Flannery (four), Anthony Lorusso (three) and Michael Russo (two).

Returning defender Luke Sproules was “sensational” the coach said, with his inclusion allowing flexibility in attack.

“He’s massive for us,” Kiker said.

“Him and Alex Bull just added to the backline, and we were able to release Jack Flannery.

“All of a sudden we can afford to put him forward, and all of a sudden the forward line just functioned.”

Jack Flannery (Ferntree Gully) kicked four majors on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

And it’s the second match in a row Ferntree Gully has registered 100 or more points.

“I think that’s a real positive for us,” Kiker said.

“We always thought that the brand of footy that we play is conducive to scoring high and we just couldn’t convert in the first half of the year. We never saw ourselves as a dogged, low-scoring side … so it’s really pleasing to kick goals.”

The win lifts the Eagles to a 2-7-1 record, with a percentage of 104.6 – ranked fourth in the division.

It’s been a case of sticking together through a challenging opening half of the season, with matches against Glen Waverley, Warrandyte and Scoresby to come following a bye this weekend.

“The camaraderie and mateship has held right through, it hasn’t dropped away at all which I’m really proud of,” Kiker said.