EFL Division 2: Jackson Drake kicks seven as The Basin wins three in a row

The Basin righted its season on Saturday as it handed East Burwood a second consecutive loss, led by a bag of seven.

THE Basin is back on track.

Saturday marked three wins on the trot for the Bears as they handed East Burwood a second-consecutive loss, 21.14 (140) to 12.9 (81), in the Eastern league’s Division 2.

The result lifts The Basin to a 3-3-1 record in sixth spot and percentage off fifth after a winless opening month to the season.

And it was some day out for Jackson Drake, who finished the match with seven goals and “set the game up for us” according to senior coach Justin Stanton.

Drake booted four straight in the opening term to rocket his side to a 27-point lead, before margins of 55 and 46 at the subsequent breaks.

Jackson Drake set the big win up with four opening-quarter goals. Picture: Field of View Photography

“It was a terrific performance and it wouldn’t have mattered who was playing on him in the first – our delivery was precise, he grabbed everything and kicked accurately,” Stanton said.

“We did everything right in the first half, took our opportunities, kicked accurately and blew them away at half-time.

“The second-half was a real arm-wrestle … and indicated how evenly matched both teams are, but we just did everything right in that first half which was really pleasing.”

Veteran Trevor Mills booted four for the Bears in his second appearance this season, taking his season-goals tally to seven.

Key players Shane Davidson (knee) and Jayden Goumas (quad) were among five changes for the Bears in the build-up.

Davidson’s time frame to return is unknown, while Goumas is expected to miss “four or five” matches.

The coach credited his side’s resilience in the result.

“We were fairly decimated in important areas of the ground,” Stanton said.

Meanwhile, Marcus Young kicked three majors for East Burwood, named best afield alongside young tall Jaymie Kempson who finished with two.

The Basin started its winning run in Round 5 with a win over Knox before defeating Oakleigh District. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Basin may not have toasted a win before Round 5, but Stanton says his group maintained a steely resolve.

The coach believes his side’s slow start was owed to a later than usual pre-season, beginning in late January.

“If we’d started in mid-November like we normally do and we’d been sitting with a draw after four rounds like we were, we would’ve had our challenges,” Stanton said.

“The guys were still a bit flat but they’ve responded really well and are working hard on the track.”

The Basin is faced with Templestowe (eighth) and Mulgrave (fourth) in the next fortnight.

“The next two weeks are really vital for us,” Stanton said.

“That’ll give us an indication of where we’re at, both had wins (on the weekend) and both are playing really good footy.”