EFNL: Chirnside Park embracing pressure of flag favouritism

After a straight sets elimination last season, Chirnside Park coach Justin Ficorilli believes key changes have the Panthers in a better place. He gives an insight into why with eight “walk up starters” due back.

Aaron Birt. Picture: Hamish Blair

Chirnside Park coach Justin Ficorilli wants his side to embrace the pressure.

The first year Panthers mentor has his side humming three games clear on top of the Eastern league Division 4 ladder with just three rounds left.

After a straight sets finals exit in 2024, Ficorilli believes his side is ready for the challenge of being the hunted.

“It’s something we embrace,” he said.

“As a new coach with new ideas and a new game plan, I think we’ve been able to change some things which are going to hold us in good stead for the finals.

“We really pride ourselves on our fitness, I made pre-season the hardest I have ever done in the last 15 years of footy. We tend to finish games strongly which comes down to the fitness levels.

“We’ve had a bit of a running block over the last couple of weeks and we’ll start to taper off now as the finals series starts to get closer.”

The Panthers underlined their premiership favouritism on Saturday, holding on for a nine-point win against second placed Whitehorse Pioneers.

Ficorilli pinpointed his side’s impressive pressure around the footy as a key factor in the result as they were able to get their running game going.

And in a warning to rivals, as many as eight “walk up starters” could filter back into the side in coming weeks.

“The depth has been tested this year but the boys who have come in have stepped up and played their role,” he said.

“We’ve got a bye in the last round which is a good opportunity to refresh and tune up for finals. We’ll probably look at having a solid session on the Saturday of that final round as a way to just ensure we stay sharp.”

Dermot Reynolds has impressed during his first season with the club.

Ficorilli hailed the performance of ruckman Dermot Reynolds on the weekend who he said was enjoying a strong season.

“He competed well against their two rucks,” he said.
“We got him across from Croydon where he last played at the start of the year and he’s been super.”

The Panthers’ defence has also been impressive this season according to the coach.

“They’ve held us together,” Ficorilli said.

“It’s been consistent apart from maybe one or two injuries. Sam Cannon has really led well along with Sam Downie.”

Riley Bickford is a young name to keep an eye on moving forward after playing the last two senior games on the wing.

“He’s still playing under-16 footy,” Ficorilli said.

BULLEEN-TEMPLESTOWE CHASING FINALS APPEARANCE

Bulleen-Templestowe kept its hopes of playing finals footy alive after crossing from the VAFA with a 28-point win over last placed Forest Hill. They sit one game behind fourth place with three rounds remaining. Daniel Martino kicked four goals while Hamish McLean was named best afield.

KILSYTH JUMPS TO THIRD

Kilsyth now sits third on the ladder after securing a 26-point win over Warrandyte, who it has now leapfrogged. The home side kicked 5.3 to no score in the last quarter to break the game open. Josh Jackson was named the best player on the ground.