EFNL 2023: Waverley Blues break club record in 74-point win on Good Friday

The Waverley Blues romped to victory in the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Good Friday, all while breaking a longstanding club record ...

It’s history made – and a perfect start to life in the Eastern league’s Division 2 for the Waverley Blues.

Last year’s Division 3 premiers romped to a 16.21 (117) to 5.13 (43) victory over Mulgrave on Good Friday, notching a second win in six days to open the season – while consigning the Lions to a 0-2 start.

It’s the Blues’ 19th consecutive victory – breaking the club’s longest winning sequence of 18 set by the 2005 premiership team – with the 2023 outfit equalling the feat in its win over Templestowe last Saturday.

It last lost in Round 1, 2022, some 370 days ago, winning 17 on the trot in the charge to the flag last year.

The Blues were seldom troubled as they piled on six opening-quarter goals to one on Friday to lead by 33 points at the first break, before 38 separated the pair at the final change.

But a last-quarter blitz put the scorers to work as the hosts peeled off 6.8 to finish 74-point winners against a Mulgrave side featuring former AFL Bulldogs Lin Jong and Fletcher Roberts.

Waverley Blues spearhead Matt Perry finished with four goals. Picture: Steve Tanner

Waverley Blues senior coach Tom Langford said his side’s outside run set the tone in the demolition job.

“It was pretty clear for us that our movement was a real feature, whether that’s ball movement or speed of runners in linking up together,” he said.

“We thought we were really able to get some separation from them (Mulgrave) on the outside, and we felt like that was an advantage going into the game.

“Once you can build a nice, handy lead, it takes the pressure off and we were able to continue on.”

Key signing Chris Duck was best afield for the Blues on debut after the multiple best-and-fairest-winning midfielder crossed from Rand-Walbundrie-Walla in February.

“He had a super game,” Langford said.

“Through the midfield, his tireless running and workrate was outstanding, (and) he uses the ball really well.

“He’s a selfless player and we talk about the hard running on the outside which really opened the game up for us, and he led the way in that regard.”

Chris Duck in action during his time up north. Picture: Border Mail

Meanwhile, the “defensive pressure” of Jimi Roufos impressed the coach across half forward and through the midfield as young gun Angus Cramer proved composed in heavy traffic, while inside-mid and reigning best and fairest Tyson Hale also stood out.

The Blues battled short on the bench with mainstay Ben Turner (hamstring) forced from the field in the second term and key tall Dan Playsted (eye) missing in action in the third alongside spearhead Matt Perry (yellow card).

Langford said Turner’s withdrawal was precautionary while Playsted returned in the final quarter, as the Lions found several scoring opportunities with a 2.7 to 0.3 third term.

“It’s obviously a lot of height, and we kind of just held on without much structure in that third quarter,” Langford said.

As for the new-found record? The achievement isn’t lost on the coach or the current squad – but it may have proved a tough pill to swallow for some former players of the decorated 2000s.

“Our second game in this division probably took precedence with the ability to win and potentially go top spot was what our goal was, but it did get mentioned in the rooms immediately after the game,” Langford said.

“We’ve got a few players from that (2005) era still involved and some of them were keen to let us know that we eclipsed them and others didn’t want to talk about it.

“It’s a really nice achievement, and I think at this point in time we can separate the 2023 season from that record a little bit and we probably still appreciate last year’s great season and tie that around the streak.”

The Waverley Blues are away to East Burwood on April 15 while Mulgrave travels to The Basin.

Waverley Blues 6.5 10.10 10.13 16.21 (117)

Mulgrave 1.2 2.4 4.11 5.13 (43)

Waverley Blues

Goal kickers:

M. Perry 4, T. Steele 3, J. Williamson 2, J. Walker, T. Hale, D. Roufos, O. Mohammad, C. Duck, A. Cramer, D. Playsted

Best players:

C. Duck, T. Hale, A. Cramer, M. Perry, D. Roufos, J. Mittell

Mulgrave

Goal kickers:

F. Roberts, A. Booth 2, G. James

Best players:

C. Tilyard, T. Kenny, A. Booth, J. Gervasoni, L. Jong, G. James