EFL: Ex-AFL Kangaroo bags eight goals in big South Belgrave win

A former North Melbourne name filled his boots in the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Saturday as his side rebounded from a disappointing loss.

What a day out for the ex-North Melbourne man.

Taylor Garner filled his boots with eight majors on Saturday as he rocketed South Belgrave to an 83-point win over East Burwood, handing the Rams their first loss of the season.

The Eastern league Division 2 outfit piled on 23.15 (150) to 10.10 (70), bouncing back following its narrow loss to Mulgrave the week prior.

South Belgrave senior coach Luke Galliott said Garner had been swung forward “out of necessity”, with the club hit hard with absences to key players this season.

The 28-year-old played 49 games for the Kangaroos from 2013-2021 after his selection at pick No. 15 in the 2012 national draft and linked up with brothers Damian and Mitch at the club late last year.

Taylor Garner during his time with the Kangaroos. Picture: Michael Klein

He missed the early part of this season with a leg injury but debuted for the Saints last week, spending most of his time in defence.

But a move forward late in last week’s clash set the tone for Saturday’s haul.

“He had a really good day (on Saturday) and helped us big-time … he was awesome with his one-on-one work. He understands the game really well,” Galliott said.

“We ended up switching him forward late in the game (last week), he took a few marks and probably nearly could’ve won us the game kicking 1.2.

“The plan was to play him forward this week just off the back of some issues we’re having around our midfield … to allow us to play Tim (Smith) up the ground.

“It was probably out of necessity, but he was always going to play on-ball-forward at some stage.”

South Belgrave coach Luke Galliott. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

While Galliott credited his side’s lift in contested ball on Saturday, he also recognised the Rams’ key absences.

Regular starters Chris Spiteri, Braeden Barlow, Eddie Rixton and Ed McCutchan were among the key names missing for the Rams.

But the Saints had their own battles with Damian Garner, Aidan Kidd and Taylem Withers all pulling out Saturday morning due to the flu.

“(Mulgrave) smacked us around the ball last week – there’s no hiding from that,” Galliott said.

“In some ways we felt like we didn’t come to play, but that’s not taking anything away from Mulgrave, they were fantastic.

“I think that (East Burwood’s omissions) really hurt their spine and we were able to capitalise on that.

“That’s not taking anything away from our guys. We lost three guys on Saturday morning so that put us on the back foot a bit.

“We were probably lucky enough that we still had the three Eastern (Ranges) kids available in Kai Windsor, Brayden Ryan and Dan Wynd that helped us cover those gaps.”

And the injury front hasn’t improved for South Belgrave in recent weeks.

Star veteran Leigh Odermatt is the latest key name set for a stint on the sidelines, following a nasty leg injury against Mulgrave.

He’s expected to miss anywhere between “four and eight weeks” according to the coach, joining the likes of Liam Kidd (foot), Bryce Hards (thumb) and Trent Castledine (jaw), among others, out of action.

The heavy injury toll combined with the flu’s impact has tested the club’s depth, but the coach remains upbeat as his side sits in second spot with a 5-1 record.

South Belgrave takes on an unbeaten Ringwood this Saturday.

“We’ve had a lot of issues but other than last week (against Mulgrave), we’re going OK,” Galliott said.