EFNL 2023: Mitcham through to Division 1 grand final

The Tigers will contest a second grand final in four years after overcoming a slow start to sink Montrose in Eastern’s Division 1 on Saturday.

ANOTHER senior grand final for Mitcham.

The Tigers are through to their second decider in four years after a 10.4 (64) to 5.8 (38) preliminary final victory over Montrose at Boronia’s Tormore Reserve.

They’ll meet unbeaten minor premier South Belgrave this Saturday.

Mitcham senior coach Neil Winterton credited his side’s lift in pressure after half-time on the weekend, as his charges recovered from a slow start to keep the Demons goalless from the second term.

Tom Lovell (left) spoils an opponent on Saturday. Picture: 11 Shades Photography

“There was a slight breeze (in the first quarter), but they (Montrose) certainly had the better of that first quarter – we were just off our game a little bit,” he said.

“We got better in the second quarter and the wind died down – I think our pressure really picked up after half-time.

“We were able to cause some turnovers, go forward and score off those.

“They probably moved the ball a bit too easily in that first quarter, and our pressure and defensive efforts shut that down which forced them a bit wider than they would’ve liked.”

Defender Nicholas Caulfield was “outstanding” according to the coach, lighting it up in a best-on-ground performance.

“There’s not a lot of frills with the way he goes about it … he gave nothing away to his opponent all day, took a lot of intercept marks and just made the right decision every time he got the ball,” Winterton said.

“It’s probably the best game I’ve seen him play at the club since he’s been with us.”

Meanwhile, Jake Parente made a long-awaited return for just his third senior match this season, kicking two goals.

The spearhead had played most of the season with VFL outfit Northern Bullants, before consecutive calf and knee injuries cast doubt over his campaign.

Jake Parente made a successful return on Saturday. Picture: 11 Shades Photography

“It (the knee injury) looked like it was a reasonable enough injury that he’d be out for a significant amount of time, so he decided to go overseas,” Winterton said.

“Before he left, we wanted to have a look at his knee to see how it was, so he played a game-and-a-half in the reserves to test it before he went away.

“He was always getting back preliminary final week.”

Winterton is under no illusions about the hurdle posed by South Belgrave this Saturday, with the Saints shooting for a third-consecutive flag.

The pair last met in Round 15, with South Belgrave prevailing by nine points.

“There’s no doubt they’re the clear favourite,” Winterton said of South Belgrave.

“But the last time we played them, we were up by 15 points out at their ground. To their credit, they were able to get over the top, but we’ll take some learnings from that.

“It’s not going to be an easy challenge but it’s certainly a challenge that we’re up for.”

Mitcham last won a senior men’s flag in 2019 in Division 2 – and discounting the two Covid-affected seasons, this Saturday marks two grand finals in three campaigns.

The club also saluted in 2015, effectively making it three deciders in six seasons under Winterton.

The achievement certainly isn’t lost on the coach.

“Any time you make a grand final there’s obviously a lot of people that contribute to that,” Winterton said.

“We’ve got our reserves in the grand final again … they made it in 2019 as well, so it’s (owed to) the whole club, (president) Matt McCubbin, to the coaches and the players who’ve put a huge amount of work in over the past four or five years to make us a successful club.”

Montrose 3.3, 5.3, 5.5, 5.8 (38)

Mitcham 1.0, 5.3, 8.4, 10.4 (64)

Montrose

Goals:

R. Garthwaite 2, J. Mentiplay, D. Chamberlin, T. Galbraith

Best:

B. Watson, B. Dessent, C. Rossetti, A. Potter, J. Boehringer, R. Hams

Mitcham

Goals:

J. Uren, G. Laughlin, J. Parente 2, T. Lovell, C. Pirzas, D. Baglava, J. Smyth

Best:

N. Caulfield, D. Baglava, R. Nicholas, N. Hallo, J. Uren, A. Barton-Smith