EFNL 2021: How Zebras are preparing for Division 4 benchmark

The Zebras sit in second spot ahead of a 1 v. 2 clash with unbeaten Coldstream in the Eastern league’s Division 4.

Aaron Creak has been among the Zebras’ best on three occasions this season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Division 4’s greatest challenge awaits Forest Hill this weekend – and senior playing-coach Justin Scicluna says his young Zebras are ready.

The club has climbed the ladder this season to sit second with a 5-1 record – behind an undefeated Coldstream – following a sixth-placed finish to 2019 where it missed the finals for the first time in seven years.

After its only loss to date came in Round 1 to current top-four side Silvan by 17 points, Scicluna said his charges had built in the subsequent five weeks, highlighted by a 40-point win over Surrey Park in Round 4.

“It’s been a really good start to the year and we knew internally that we were good enough to compete with the best sides in the competition,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of young guys coming trough from our 2019 under-19s side, and as of last week we’ve played 16 of the in the seniors already.

“It’s a bit of a cliché, one week at a time for us, and we get a really big opportunity to take on Coldstream who are clearly the best side in the comp at the moment, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

Justin Scicluna chases down a Surrey Park opponent. Picture: Surrey Park FC

The standout performer for the Zebras this season has been boom recruit Mitch Hanegraaf.

The 2017 Knox premiership forward has booted 28 goals – including two bags of nine.

Scicluna coached Hanegraaf at junior level – and knew he was one to snag once he stepped into the Zebras’ head gig.

“When he hit the senior ranks and I took on the role at Forest Hill, I was always keen to get him across,” he said.

“He’s been massive for us on-field and off-field, he’s taken on a bit of a coaching role in our forward line, and he’s helping the younger guys come on a lot quicker than expected.

“It’s the guys up the field and down in our backline, getting him the ball and with their delivery to enable him to be as effective as he has.”

But the Surrey Park win in recent weeks provided a major morale boost for Scicluna’s men as they prepare for Saturday’s 1 v. 2 clash.

“The biggest thing that comes out of that game is belief and the guys now believe that we are good enough to contend with the best sides,” Scicluna said.

“With a young group, the biggest challenge we have as coaches is consistency on a week-to-week basis to try and keep the group up and about.

“That (belief) is the biggest word around our footy club but where nowhere near where we can be … we’ll find out pretty quickly where we’re at on Saturday.”