EFNL 2023: Where Ferntree Gully must improve to take next step

The Eagles fell to Donvale in Saturday’s Eastern Division 3 grand final, with the coach pinpointing his side’s shortcomings in the 10-goal drubbing. But he’s optimistic they can rise again. Here’s why.

A grand final drubbing is a bitter pill to swallow – but Ferntree Gully senior coach Brent Kiker is optimistic his club has the pieces in place to challenge again.

The Eagles fell to Donvale by 60 points in Saturday’s Eastern league Division 3 decider, with the ‘Vales marking a second senior men’s flag in six years.

While Kiker lamented his players’ errant ball-use, he couldn’t question his charges’ endeavour – which he made known to his players following the siren.

Ethan Kiker (middle) shoots out a handball on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“At the end of the day, we actually had more possessions – we tried to move the ball and it was (our) skill-errors and turnovers that cost us – they (Donvale) kicked 12.4 from turnovers,” he said.

“You’re not going to win too many games giving those goals up from turnovers.

“It was the worst I’ve seen us kick or handball the footy all year … they’re so clinical in their ball-use, they just cut through.

“We worked so hard, the effort was there … but one errant kick inside 50, or a missed 20-metre pass, they just wait for that, and that’s why they’re a good side and they’ve done it all year.”

Speedy talent Tom Gasparroni (broken hand), spearhead Lachie Kennedy (overseas) and experienced target Kieran Gray (suspended) were notable omissions from the Eagles’ attack.

Gray was suspended for two matches following a red card in the preliminary final victory over Oakleigh District.

A last-ditch appeal fell flat.

“(They) would’ve made a big difference in that forward line, but they (Donvale) were clearly the better side all year,” Kiker said.

“Things just didn’t flow for us in the second half of the year – we just couldn’t get much continuity with some of our good players, and to match it with Donvale, we needed everything to go 100 per cent right for us.”

Kiker paid tribute to outgoing ruckman Daniel De Ieso, who announced his retirement ahead of the match.

The former Scoresby big man rejoined the Gully ahead of the 2019 season, winning the Division 3 league best-and-fairest last year.

De Ieso in action on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“He did his part, no doubt about that,” Kiker said of De Ieso’s game.

“It was a bit emotional after the game – he’s been a great servant of the footy club and he could’ve shot off four or five years ago but he’s stuck fat.

“He was loyal to the club and I can’t thank him enough for that.”

Jordan Paterson lit it up on the wing, while experienced duo Hayden Lovat and Alex Bull were also among the best.

And young gun Ethan Kiker – son of Brent – finished the match with 29 possessions and two goals.

“Very proud of the way he’s gone – it’s not easy having your dad as the coach, and I’m not easy on him, put it that way,” Kiker said.

“I thought he tried really hard all day – he tried to get us going.”

Brent Kiker calling the shots on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Kiker said the club would look to bolster its 26-to-27-year-old players on the list, while also remaining on the lookout for a ruckman to help offset De Ieso’s retirement.

Coupled with the emerging talent and names to return, the coach is bullish the Eagles can rise again.

“We think we’ve got the pieces there – there’s a lot of talent coming up from the under-19s, a couple of guys in the reserves getting better every year and you add those guys that weren’t playing on the weekend,” Kiker said.

“I think sometimes you’ve just got to make a grand final (first), as Donvale had, to see what it takes.

“I said I was proud to come from outside the finals (last year) to make it, we could’ve dropped away in the prelim but we fought really hard to have a chance at it.

“All in all, it’s disappointing, but you can take a lot out of the season, that’s for sure.”