EFL Division 2: Mulgrave defeats leader South Belgrave for the second time this season

It’s a result which has set the scene for a monumental run home in the EFL’s Division 2 with several sides vying for fifth spot. Here’s how the Lions did it.

Mulgrave remains hot in the Eastern league Division 2 finals hunt.

The Lions knocked over ladder-leader South Belgrave for the second time this season on Saturday, 9.11 (65) to 4.18 (42), and senior coach Ryan Webster says side has the fifth spot in its sights.

The coach remarked his side’s “pressure was through the roof” in tackling and defence, limiting clean delivery into a South Belgrave forward line which saw ex-AFL Demon Tim Smith finish with two majors.

Mulgrave coach Ryan Webster says his side’s pressure was “through the roof”. Picture: Craig Bonney/Rhonda Tilyard Eddy

The visitors led by four points at half-time before taking control in the third term with the aid of the breeze.

“As I told the boys, the wind doesn’t do the job for you,” Webster said.

“You’ve still got to win the contest and execute the skill and to our credit, our skill execution was the best I’ve seen it all year and even in the conditions we were good enough to hold onto the ball and use our skill by foot to keep control of it.”

Mulgrave joins a raft of sides in pursuit of the last finals position with four rounds to go.

Eight points separates fourth from fifth which The Basin occupies by two points ahead of Templestowe (sixth), Mulgrave (seventh) and Heathmont (eighth).

Webster said claiming one of the division’s most sought-after scalps on the way home would provide a major boost to the Lions’ finals hunt.

“The biggest thing is the belief that the boys have got knowing that our best is as good to beat the top teams and match it with anyone in the competition,” he said.

Jack Davidson was one of a host of players rotating through an inside midfield role in the absence of Jaxon Gervasoni – and he delivered with a best afield display.

Webster also highlighted Dean Siakoulis, Nathan Lee and Sam Kassianou stepping up through the middle.

Dean Siakoulis in action on Saturday. Picture: Craig Bonney/Rhonda Tilyard Eddy

“He’s come along in leaps and bounds this year and it’s been a bit of a breakout year for him,” Webster said of Davidson.

“He’s an elite runner, he’s worked really hard in the off-season on his skills and now it’s coming to fruition for him.

“He’s able to win the hard ball, he comes off battered and bruised every week now … because he’s getting his head in the hole and dishing it out.

“But when he’s able to get someone to give him a handball he’s able to break lines as he’s got great speed. He’s been a real find.”

The victory brings a close to five consecutive losses for Mulgrave, which is faced with Templestowe, Knox (ninth), Oakleigh District (10th) and The Basin to round out the home-and-away campaign.

“They probably lost a bit (of belief) in the weeks preceding this game,” Webster said of his group.

“The boys know they can do it, it just comes down to the execution on the day and sustaining it.

“We’ve always thought our season would be alive as long as we could keep putting some good performances together like we did on the weekend.”