EFNL Division 1 2024: How “wake-up call” spurred Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield has hardly put a foot wrong in Eastern’s Division 1 this season – but its only blemish served a timely reminder ahead of claiming its biggest scalp yet.
Eastern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It has lost just one match – but the coach says it was a timely tap on the shoulder.
Beaconsfield’s sole blemish came against powerhouse South Belgrave a fortnight ago to the tune of 33 points.
But the Eagles rebounded on Saturday by claiming one of the division’s most sought-after scalps, Montrose, in an 18-point victory.
Sitting second on the ladder with a 4-1 record, Beaconsfield coach Mick Fogarty lauded the weekend’s response.
“South Belgrave was a real wake-up call to the group, just to let them know whilst we’ve been going well, we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Fogarty said.
“To the boys’ credit, they were absolutely awesome on the weekend against a really strong Montrose team.
“Our pressure all over the ground was enormous … it’s something we pride ourselves on and something you need to bring in this competition to be able to survive.”
Fogarty said a wealth of junior talent had impressed this season.
Among them, Kade De La Rue, Hayden Brown, Kobe Shipp and Mitch Stryboski, “to name a few”.
“That’s the beauty of our footy club, the development of our juniors and the relationship we have with our junior club,” Fogarty said.
“We’ve got a real strong influx of kids getting senior games behind them, and they’re getting games against really good opposition.
“Our senior players are leading the way and showing them some really good habits.”
There’s been high praise for recruit Mackay Bateson, who joined the club from Monbulk and has played every match so far, kicking seven majors.
“He’s just been a revelation since coming across ... he’s added some real toughness and pressure in our forward half,” Fogarty said.
The Eagles have also regained key name Jafar Ocaa in the past month, after a broken leg put paid to his season with two home-and-away games remaining last year.
He missed Beaconsfield’s first Eastern league finals appearance, but has returned with two mentions in the best while hitting the scoreboard in each of his four outings, for seven majors.
“He’s an amazing talent and some of the things he’s able to do out on the ground inspires the boys,” Fogarty said.
“Having ‘Jaf’ back has been a real bonus for us, not just for our footy club, but getting him back and playing footy, and having a structure has been terrific.”
A date with unbeaten ladder-leader Park Orchards awaits the Eagles this weekend.
“They’re a tough opposition with some really good players, mids that go forward and kick goals … their ability to pressure and come forward at the contest is really strong,” Fogarty said.
“It’s going to be another massive game.”
Revealed: Local footy’s best players of 2024
The 2024 local footy season is dawning to a close and to celebrate, we’ve named our best players from the 2024 season. Here’s who made the list.
‘The timing was right’: Superstar returns to Southern league home
Local footy superstar Jackson Sketcher has returned to where his career started. He talks us through his decision and what he hopes to achieve in his new threads.