EFNL 2021: The key area driving Mitcham’s 2-0 Division 1 start

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton highlights the key pillar he believes has been especially potent in his side’s blistering 2-0 start.

Mitcham players fly for the ball against Montrose on the weekend. Picture: Davis Harrigan

It’s been a fast start to the season for Division 1 newcomer Mitcham, and senior playing-coach Neil Winterton says a boosted defence has been key to its rise.

The Tigers sit 2-0 after accounting for Montrose by 49 points on the weekend following on from a second-half surge against Wantirna South in Round 1.

While Winterton believes Division 1 footy is still a bit of an unknown to his side after only two outings, he noted the shift up in the speed of the game, the stronger bodies, and how turnovers can hurt just that bit more in the higher grade.

Winterton works the magnets on the weekend. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Mitcham has conceded just 90 points in its opening two matches (ranked third in the division), which Winterton said had been a major area of focus leading into the season.

But he’s wary the club started its last campaign in the second tier 2-0 in 2016, before crashing to second-last on the ladder by season’s end.

“I think we’ve only conceded about six goals a game and we knew that was an area that we really had to focus on – jumping up a division you’re going to come up against some teams that have got some really good firepower up forward,” Winterton said.

“We’ve been pleased so far but bearing in mind that when we did jump up the division last time, we won our first two games.”

The handy inclusion of Yarra Junction premiership defender Dylan Brookes has paid dividends to the Tigers’ back six, with the former Outer East star named among the best in both matches.

Brookes has been a handy addition to the Tigers’ back six. Picture: Davis Harrigan

And he produced a defensive masterclass in the weekend’s clash against the Demons.

“He was outstanding on the weekend – he played on Mitch Davis who kicked seven the week before against Bayswater and held him goalless,” Winterton said.

“He got some good assistance as well from teammates and the pressure up the field helped as well.

“He’s been a really welcome addition – he’s always looking to improve not only himself but the back six as a whole unit.”

Brookes’ inclusion has also served to help cover the loss of key back Lachlan Rudd, who left the field early with an ankle injury in the Tigers’ Round 1 match against the Devils.

Winterton said Rudd would be “touch and go” for a return this week.

“In the past, once Ruddy went down we were left really short-handed, but having Dylan at the club now certainly helps in that respect,” Winterton said.

“That (Rudd) was a big out for us in the past, and it’s still a big out, but we’ve got a bit more coverage there now.”

Rudd’s absence made up a line of key premiership names missing for the Tigers last weekend, with centre half-forward Matt Gordon tweaking a calf on the Thursday night before the match and skipper Jackson Glossop withdrawing late due to a shoulder injury.

Winterton said Gordon “might miss this week”, while Glossop “should be right to go”.

Meanwhile, spearhead Jake Parente may be facing a longer lay-off as he battles back trouble, after the club was hopeful of a Round 3 return.

Mitcham travels to Kings Park this weekend to take on Upper Ferntree Gully.