EFNL Division 1 2024: Mooroolbark upsets Beaconsfield by 24 points
Confidence is running high at Mooroolbark after it pulled off an Eastern league Division 1 upset on Saturday – and continued to defy its critics after a 0-3 start to the season.
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Finals are on the agenda for the resurgent Mooroolbark.
The Mustangs pulled off an almighty upset in Eastern’s Division 1 on Saturday, defeating Beaconsfield, 10.5 (65) to 5.11 (41) at Heights Reserve.
The young Mooroolbark outfit entered the match in sixth – three games behind the Eagles in fourth – as the hosts led by 14 points at the half before keeping the visitors goalless in the third for a 27-point lead at the last break.
The result lifts the Mustangs to a 6-6 record after starting the season 0-3.
Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars said his group found resolve after it fell to reigning premier Mitcham last weekend, where it relinquished a 20-point half-time lead.
“We thought we had done a hell of a lot right for the majority of the game – but we felt internally we had some ill-discipline that contributed to that loss,” Lavars said of the 18-point defeat.
“But we more took a glass half-full approach to the result – we felt like we were able to connect better with our forwards against a quality side like Mitcham, (and) we felt their midfield probably got a hold of us.
“The challenge for our midfield group (on Saturday) was to be able to bring the heat to Beaconsfield who’ve been a good side all year, who gave us some lessons in Round 3.”
Dual league medal-winning midfielder Austin Smith was best afield for Mooroolbark, while Trent Georgiou and Jackson Gilbee finished with three goals each.
Lavars credited a “four-quarter performance”, adding the wet and wintry conditions “suited us”.
“‘Oz’ (Smith) did as he always does, his effort and intensity can’t be questioned – he was really excited once he saw the weather forecast,” Lavars said.
“(Georgiou) was probably the difference in regards to the forwards … he was able to take a couple of clunks and convert which was really important on a wet day.”
Meanwhile, Collingwood VFL-listed young gun Jett Hartman also featured in the best for his aerial work in defence.
The Mustangs sit just one match out of the top five with six home-and away matches remaining.
And Lavars is bullish his group can give finals a shake.
“We were challenged as a footy club at 0-3, but we stripped it back and we’ve been able to find a way forward,” he said.
“The last nine rounds have been pretty impressive – barring Park Orchards getting hold of us – we’ve been in the majority of games.
“We like to think our best is as good as anyone’s, and with some rounds to go, we’re still aspiring to play finals footy.”
Mooroolbark 2.0, 6.1, 8.4, 10.5 (65)
Beaconsfield 2.1, 3.5, 3.7, 5.11 (41)
Best players
Mooroolbark: Austin Smith, Jett Hartman, Rhys Crossley, Kane Noonan, Jye Peacock, Trent Georgiou
Beaconsfield: Finn Devine, Connor Mouat, Joshua Mounter, Myles Currie, Brady Niezgodka, Jack Docherty
Goals
Mooroolbark: Trent Georgiou, Jackson Gilbee (3), Sam Gebert (2), Cayden Maki, Ryan Symons
Beaconsfield: Hayden Brough, Myles Currie, Darren Minchington, Charlie Muley
Grand final wins and a shock or two
Finals accelerated in local footy with plenty of grand final winners as elsewhere there were stunning results as teams looked to qualify for the decider. Here are the talking points from Saturday’s football.
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