EFNL Division 2 2023: Beau Mitchener powers Templestowe to 50-point win

The Dockers cast aside an Eastern Division 2 finals aspirant in a powerful performance on Saturday – spearheaded by the dominant display of a returning big man.

TEMPLESTOWE’s Beau Mitchener made a blistering return as his side romped to a 50-point win over a Division 2 finals aspirant on Saturday.

The Dockers piled on nine consecutive goals between the first and second quarters to sink East Burwood after an early arm-wrestle, as Mitchener provided a commanding ruck presence in a best-afield display.

“Beau was huge – I think he would’ve had 83 hit-outs to their 23 for the day,” Templestowe interim coach Nick Batsanis said.

“He was massive in the first half, especially.

“It’s mainly just getting that first use with Beau in the ruck – and that’s not only in the middle of the ground, it’s all over – he seems to put it where we want it nine times out of 10, and we’re able to change things up quite quickly so other teams can’t catch onto it.”

Beau Mitchener has been in the Dockers’ best eight times this year. Picture: Field of View Photography

Missing for the 29-point loss to ladder-leader Boronia the previous week, Mitchener’s powerful return came alongside midfielder Michael Fogarty, who also finished among the Dockers’ best on Saturday.

Batsanis said the pair’s inclusion would be complemented by the injection of Carl Giovannini for the club’s bout with Knox this weekend.

“Beau, ‘Fogs’, and Carl were all missing against Boronia and that really showed in the end result because we didn’t have a midfield in there,” Batsanis said.

“We had a lot of young mids coming through that day … they held their own and did well, but their (Boronia’s) bigger bodies got on top of us.”

Batsanis has stepped into the coaching role for the remainder of the season following the exit of Anthony McGregor.

A hamstring injury will keep former Doncaster East captain Batsanis out of this weekend’s clash with Knox – but he will face off against his old Lions mentor Steve Buckle in the coaches’ box.

The pair twice lifted the cup together in the Eastern league’s second tier with Doncaster East across 2018 and ’19, helping the club into the top division.

Batsanis admits it’ll be “strange” calling the shots against his former mentor.

Batsanis and Buckle lift the 2019 Division 1 cup for Doncaster East. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I’ve spoken to ‘Bucksy’ and he’s been really good to me, just about obviously the whole change from player to coach … I’ve sort of leant on him as much as I can,” he said.

“He’s been good to me since day one and we did mention that we’d be coming up against each other … and we’ll be coaching against each other which will be a bit strange.”

But beware the triple Eastern league premiership coach, Batsanis warned, with the Falcons fighting for survival in Division 2.

“I see it as a danger game as well – Knox are in really good form,” Batsanis said.

“They ran the Waverley Blues right until the end on Saturday and ‘Bucksy’ has obviously got them playing a game-plan and style implemented over pre-season that they’re getting together.

“We’ve really got to be on our game from start to finish.”

Templestowe sits third on the ladder with an 11-5 record, while East Burwood (sixth) remains a game and percentage out of the top five with an 8-8 ledger.

Knox (3-13, ninth) must currently make up four points and some 12 per cent in the final two rounds in its bid to avoid relegation.