EFNL 2025: Why Templestowe’s best is on the horizon according to coach Nick Batsanis

Templestowe shook off yet another challenger on Saturday, driven by a host of key names. But there’s plenty of improvement left in the top-of-the-table Dockers according to the coach.

EFNL 2025: Templestowe's Daniel Cooper has been a big inclusion this season. Picture: Field of View Photography

It met the challenge of a top-of-the-table clash – but the coach believes his side’s best is yet to come.

Templestowe moved a game clear in first after outlasting Surrey Park in Eastern’s Division 2 on Saturday, 8.3 (51) to 4.8 (32). Just a point separated the pair at the half before the visiting Dockers kicked 13 clear by the final change.

Templestowe coach Nick Batsanis said the match followed the trend of his side’s season.

“Surrey had our measure early … we changed a few things at quarter time with the way we defended the ground,” Batsanis said.

“I don’t think we played our best footy, we were just able grind it out when it mattered most and put a bit of scoreboard pressure on.

“I think we’ve shown at times throughout the year that our best is good enough – I don’t feel that we’ve played consistent footy at our best, we’ve just done a good enough job to win games of footy with the personnel we’ve got.”

A host of names have driven the Dockers’ surge to the top of the ladder in the opening six rounds.

“Ryan Giovannini is probably the biggest one for us at the moment in terms of his development and where he’s at,” Batsanis said.

“He just improves week to week and has been crucial for us at centre half-back and played a bit of ruck on the weekend.

“Daniel Cooper has given us a different look and a different element up forward and plays up the ground too.

“Kristian Trukulja is starting to get a feel for Division 2 and is starting to play some really good footy, (and) Josh Warren and Carl Giovannini are having a great year.”

Waiting in the wings is a host of key names yet to return, headlined by powerhouse ruckman Beau Mitchener, who has missed the past two weeks with a foot injury.

He’s expected back within a fortnight, while regular starters Giorgio Papahronis, Stef Papahronis, Jai Hardwick and Mathew Zukiewicz have also been missing.

“We’ve still got some pretty handy guys to come back in who are only going to complement us moving forward,” Batsanis said.

“Hopefully we’re in a strong position in the back end of the year where we’ve got a pretty fit and firing list to hopefully play finals.”

Saturday’s victory lifted the Dockers to a 5-1 record – with its only blemish coming against a resurgent Wantirna South in Round 3.

“Since then I think we’ve learnt a lot as a playing group and as coaches too,” Batsanis said.

“If we can just be consistent and win the games that we need to and compete for longer periods of time, we’ll be OK.”

Templestowe hosts Ringwood in Round 7.