EFNL 2022: Warrandyte edges Waverley Blues by two points

Warrandyte toughed its way to a tight win over fellow Division 3 heavyweight Waverley on Saturday – but it’s come at a cost.

Warrandyte coach Paul Donahoo described Saturday’s clash of Division 3 heavyweights as a “war of attrition”.

The Bloods edged the Waverley Blues in a nail-biter at Warrandyte Reserve, winning 10.9 (69) to 9.13 (67) following a seesawing final term.

Warrandyte had no choice but to tough it out with just one rotation left on the bench in the heart-stopping last quarter.

The Bloods and the Blues could hardly be separated by the final siren. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Reigning best and fairest Mitch Buckley (hamstring) and key defender Lachie Buckley (shoulder) saw no last quarter action, while forward Jesse Cox (broken nose) sat out the final 10 minutes. Captain Michael Cullum injured a bicep and missed most of the term.

He may only be in his second year at the helm, but Donahoo believes it was one of the gutsiest wins he’s coached.

“It was a real gritty win … to be pushed and have some pretty important players (missing),” Donahoo said.

“We lost three through injury and probably had another two on the field that probably shouldn’t have been out there. But to hold on and fight … we were waiting for that siren to go.”

Warrandyte coach Paul Donahoo. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Blues held a four-point advantage at the final change before the hosts wrestled back the momentum.

After trading goals, recruit Mitch Skien kicked truly from 40 metres out to stretch the Bloods’ lead to nine points late in the term, before the Blues closed the gap to two points.

“Then there was probably about two minutes of just dive on the footy, hold it up and do what you can do to hold on,” Donahoo said.

“They got away, we got away – it was a really good game of local footy to have it back after all that time. It ebbed and flowed, and we were lucky enough to take our chances in the last.”

Reigning Division 3 comp best and fairest Ryan Phillips finished among the best for the Bloods with four goals, while boom recruit Tom Grimes kicked two. Taylor Hayton and Sean Jellie also featured among Warrandyte’s best. Blues big man Daniel Playsted booted two majors to finish best afield for the visitors, while fellow forwards Jaye O’Connell and Josh Williamson also finished with a pair each.

Ryan Phillips booted four majors in the win. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Donahoo is confident his club’s depth can cover for the injuries suffered in the bruising encounter.

“It’s the versatility that we’re going to have to have – our twos had a good win and there’s some pretty good senior footballers playing well down there,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ve got some coverage, but it’s going to be a revolving door and you’re going to need your 30 to 32 good players to play well.”

Warrandyte is away to Coldstream in Round 2 while the Waverley Blues host the Whitehorse Pioneers.