EFNL 2025: Fairpark stomps ‘first stone in the ground’ with almighty Division 3 boilover against Knox

It could be one of Fairpark’s finest victories in recent memory, as the Eastern Division 3 club toppled one of the teams to beat for its first win of the season on Saturday.

EFNL 2025: Fairpark celebrates its upset victory over Knox on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

It might just be one of Fairpark’s finest victories in recent memory.

Think the 2019 Division 4 grand final, or its last-round relegation battle triumph in 2022 – Saturday’s almighty boilover could well be up there.

The Lions broke through for their first win of the EFNL Division 3 season, edging 2024 finalist Knox, 8.8 (56) to 7.13 (55) at Knox Gardens Reserve.

Trailing by 21 points at the main break, Fairpark closed the gap to just five points by the final change off the back of sound defending, before edging ahead in the last – while keeping the Falcons goalless in the second half.

First-year coach Josh Allison declared the victory a “crucial” stepping stone for his fresh-faced side.

“Purely in terms of a new playing group and a new list, going 0-5, you start to asking questions about what you can do to get a win, and you start to build some belief into the playing group and know that wins aren’t that far away if we continue to do the things that are going to make us a good footy side,” he said.

“It was the foundation and crucial piece in putting the first stone in the ground and getting our season underway.”

Ryan Smith led the charge for the Lions with three majors, while skipper Mitch Nied finished with two.

Cooper Hayman, Mason Byrne, Dale Bent and Ryan Mason also featured among a band of contributors, with the coach reserving the biggest shout for the back six.

“It was just a real arm-wrestle where defence was winning on the day,” Allison said.

“Each defender had their key moment, and kept winning them.

“One of our better players in Brad Nied was out so our defence really had to stand up without him – he’s a general back there.

“The defenders stood up really well with some hot footy coming in, and our midfielders were unbelievable in how they continued to crack in.”

Allison was hopeful Saturday’s breakthrough would spark his side’s belief.

“That’s what I’m hoping for – this week we reset, it’s only one win, but now the monkey’s off the back.”

Fairpark is away to The Basin in Round 7 before bouts with Oakleigh District and Ferntree Gully to close out the first half of the season.