EFL Division 2: South Belgrave overruns East Burwood to remain top

South Belgrave came from behind to edge a top-three rival in the EFL’s Division 2, inspired by a damaging forward’s performance.

South Belgrave has held off a fast-finishing East Burwood to remain a game clear atop the Eastern league Division 2 ladder.

The Saints pipped the third-placed Rams in a thriller on Saturday, 12.12 (84) to 11.12 (78), overturning an early 14-point deficit in the final term.

South Belgrave senior coach Luke Galliott implored a lift from his group with ball in hand and at the stoppages in the last quarter, with his charges working their way back midway through the piece.

“They (East Burwood) got on top and did it better than us in the first seven or eight minutes, and then it looked like it was going to be hard to get a result from there, but the boys sort of found something,” Galliott said.

“For the most part I thought after that we controlled it, and in that last five to six minutes they had control, but pushing Tim (Smith) back behind the ball sort of curtailed their entries.

“It was a hard-fought effort in the end, it was a pretty even contest all day … late in the game the guys didn’t go into their shell.”

South Belgrave’s Sam Brown kicked five majors on Saturday. Picture: George Sal

The Saints were inspired by five goals from Sam Brown – including three in the opening quarter – to set the tone.

Tim Smith bagged two of his three majors in the final term to help the visitors back into the contest, before Brown’s fifth in time-on proved the matchwinner.

Meanwhile Bryce Hards impressed in his second game back since returning from a long lay-off with a thumb injury while Leigh Odermatt returned from a leg injury and earned high praise from the coach.

“(Brown) had a fantastic game – it’s probably as well as he’s played all year and he has had some good efforts throughout the course of the year, he’s been probably a little bit quiet for the last month,” Galliott said.

South Belgrave fell to Mulgrave the previous round owing largely to the Lions’ pressure and ability to adjust better to the wintry conditions according to Galliott.

While it marked just the second loss this season for the Saints, they’re set to regain key names for next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Ringwood.

South Belgrave coach Luke Galliott. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Key forward Damian Garner is set to return, while the coach is hopeful on Aidan Kidd and Sean Bartels and Oakleigh Charger Cayden Black could also feature.

Ex-AFL Kangaroo Taylor Garner has missed the past month with a hamstring injury and is said to be “touch and go” for Round 17 against Boronia.

“We won’t be rushing anyone back that’s not ready,” Galliott said.

Triple league medallist Matt Mariani finished best afield for East Burwood through the midfield, while Conor Agnew and Braeden Barlow finished with three goals apiece.

The Rams host The Basin in Round 16.