EFNL 2021: New recruits tear it up in Eagles’ season opener

The Eagles’ opener provided plenty of highlights according to coach Brent Kiker, with a host of names announcing themselves.

Mitch Tsirtsikos booted two for the Eagles on Saturday. Picture: Field of View

Ferntree Gully senior coach Brent Kiker says Saturday night’s win provided plenty of cause for optimism with the club fielding a new-look side.

Kiker said “about half the side was different from 2019” in the Eagles’ 13.15 (93) to 7.12 (54) victory over promoted Fairpark, with the first-year mentor pointing to his side’s heavy scoring in trying conditions.

“We were really happy with the way we moved it which has been our focus, and we kicked the highest score of the round and that all points to us going all right I reckon,” Kiker said.

Emerging on-baller Charlie Peters made his mark on debut as he finished two goals to be named among the best, while Kiker also commended second-gamer Liam Acosta-Harvey for his work on-ball.

A raft of the Eagles’ boom recruits also starred, with former Croydon utility Alex Bull named in the best and ex-Knox name Liam Anson impressing Kiker.

Former Bayswater spearhead Wayne McInerney booted two majors while creating plenty of scoring opportunities in attack according to Kiker and fellow ex-Baysie name and returning half-back Mat Camera stood up in defence.

Meanwhile, ex-Belgrave tall midfielder Luke Sproules was named best afield.

“He (McInerney) is going to get attention throughout the year and at times he was double and triple-teamed,” Kiker said.

“He created another four or five goals just through his competitiveness I suppose – just making a contest when outnumbered which leaves other guys to kick goals. His leadership’s great as well as vice-captain.

“Matty off half-back, he’s just an asset and his kicking is elite.

“They all did their part, so it was good to see because there were so many unknowns.”

Kieran Gray led the goalkicking for the Eagles with three as a host of Eagles hit the scoreboard with Mitch Tsirtsikos and Michael Russo also kicking two. For the Lions, Ben Dadswell booted three to be named among the best for his side.

But it was a vastly different Fairpark outfit taking the field from its 2019 Division 4 flag side, headlined by the absence of spearhead James Gough after his exit from the club in recent weeks alongside a number of premiership players also missing in the club’s first hit-out in Division 3.

A blockbuster next three weeks awaits the 2019 prelim finalist, with the Eagles tasked with clashes against Warrandyte, the Waverley Blues and Donvale – all of which have been widely touted as finals fancies.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, but we were pretty happy with the way we played ... it’ll be a really good test early for us,” Kiker said.