EFNL 2024: Waverley Blues blitz Heathmont in Division 2 statement

A Division 2 semi-final loss had burned all off-season – and the Blues sought to prove a point in Saturday’s return bout.

The Waverley Blues had a point to prove.

And they did so, comfortably.

The Eastern Division 2 club scalped Heathmont to the tune of 64 points in a 13.13 (91) to 4.3 (27) victory on Saturday.

The Jets tipped the Blues out of the premiership race last season, prevailing in a semi-final clash before playing off in the decider.

Waverley Blues senior coach Scott Savage said Saturday’s return bout was seldom mentioned in the build-up – but the 77-point semi-final loss had burned deep during the off-season.

“It’s a game that we didn’t really talk about much over the pre-season – we know how they finished us off last year so there really wasn’t much talk about it until the day itself,” Savage said.

“From myself to the players and the club as a whole, it’s something that we wanted to do (on Saturday), was to prove that wasn’t us at the end of last season.”

EFNL: Josh Williamson finished with three goals on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

The Blues raced to a 27-point quarter-time lead, increasing the margin to 56 by the final change.

Spearhead Josh Williamson booted three goals while Oscar Harding, Jaye O’Connell and Daniel Playsted fired off two apiece.

Defender Sam Hale turned out a best-on-ground display.

“He had a huge impact across centre half-back playing on (Nathan) Mullenger-McHugh and (Liam) Malone, but he was a rock for the whole day – his one-on-one competitiveness in the air and at ground level was unbelievable,” Savage said.

Savage, who served as assistant under premiership mentor Tom Langford before winning the senior role at the end of last season, noted Saturday’s key difference from the finals series last year.

“Our pressure – it was our want for the ball, our forward pressure was unbelievable and was something that lacked a little bit I thought towards the end of last year but our forwards just wanted to score every time we got it in there,” he said.

Wingman Sam Mier also finished among the best – but is set to play just one more match before he jets off overseas.

“He’s been instrumental on the wing for us and he’s also a great leader around the place,” Savage said.

The Blues take on a winless East Burwood in Round 3, with James Mittel and Sam Johnson heading a raft of names in line to return.

“I’ll have a few (selection) headaches this week,” Savage said.