EFNL 2023: Beaconsfield’s Jake Bowd, Brandon White star to sink Mooroolbark in thriller

Beaconsfield “looked down and out” according to the coach, before some last-gasp heroics delivered it a thrilling victory ...

BEACONSFIELD has dealt Mooroolbark a heartbreaking loss for a second-consecutive week in the Eastern league’s Division 1.

The Eagles nosed out the Mustangs in a nail-biter, 6.15 (51) to 6.8 (44), as captain Jake Bowd proved the hero, snapping the matchwinner from the boundary in the dying minutes to edge his side ahead by a point.

It’s been a heart-stopping three weeks for Mooroolbark with two after-the-siren finishes – a loss to Bayswater last weekend and a win over North Ringwood the week prior.

A similar ending met the Mustangs on Saturday, as the Eagles dominated possession in the final minutes to wrestle back the lead before a Jafar Ocaa goal after the siren pushed the end margin to seven points.

Beaconsfield’s Jake Bowd kicked the eventual matchwinner. Picture: Tyler Lewis/Star News

“We looked down and out in the last five minutes,” Beaconsfield senior coach Mick Fogarty said.

“In pretty tough conditions, the drizzle made it a bit slippery but it was a ground-ball day and our boys just worked really hard to lock it in our forward 50 in the last five minutes and give ourselves a chance to score.

“Our skipper stood up in Jake Bowd to kick the goal to put us in front.”

Former AFL Saint Brandon White produced a best afield display across half-back, his “competitiveness and leadership” standing out.

The 2014 Beaconsfield premiership star returned to the club ahead of this season via MPFNL outfit Devon Meadows – and hasn’t missed a beat.

Brandon White soars over the pack in the 2014 grand final. Picture: David Trend

“He’s been enormous,” Fogarty said.

“We can play him anywhere and he does his best work weekly behind the footy across half-back and he just reads it so well and sets the ground up really well.

“He competes really hard in his one on ones and he just knows when to sag off and when to go, and when we’ve had to throw him onto the footy and he just uses his smarts to get out and give our forwards some real opportunities.”

Beaconsfield finished last season in seventh spot with a 6-12 record – suffering losses in four matches by 11 points or under in its maiden Eastern league campaign.

It currently sits in third spot with a 3-2 record, with the opening month signalling improvement to Fogarty.

“The boys have been really understanding in not just being competitive like we were last year, it’s actually turning the games into wins for us.”

Beaconsfield hosts Wantirna South next round while Mooroolbark is away to Lilydale.

Mooroolbark 6.8 (44)

Beaconsfield 6.15 (51)

Mooroolbark

Goals:

J. Hartman 2, J. Amiet, A. Smith, B. Dobie, R. Symons

Best:

C. Maki, K. Noonan, H. Keeling, A. Smith, R. Crossley, B. Dobie

Beaconsfield

Goals:

J. Bowd 3, J. Ocaa 2, S. Mackinder

Best:

B. White, P. Gerdan, J. Mounter, J. Bowd, S. Merrick, D. Johnston