EFNL Division 2 2023: Boronia ends Waverley Blues’ 20-game winning streak

One of local footy’s current longest winning streaks is no more, with Boronia handing the Waverley Blues their first loss in more than a year on Saturday.

One of local football’s most recent longest winning streaks is no more, with Boronia ending the Waverley Blues’ run of 20 consecutive victories in the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Saturday.

The Hawks held off a second-half Blues surge in the 9.17 (71) to 8.13 (61) result, after leading by 35 points midway through the second term.

It’s the first time the Blues have tasted defeat since Round 1, 2022 – some 385 days ago – claiming the Division 3 flag last year before breaking the club record for most wins in a row in their recent Good Friday clash.

Ex-Bomber Josh Begley finished best afield for the Hawks. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Forced to just one rotation on the bench going into the last term, Boronia senior coach Matt Clark implored his players to “be brave and fight on”, with the Blues trailing by 26 points.

“I was really proud of them,” Clark said.

“To lose (three players), it was a real challenge at half-time because we knew we were going to be down rotations … (and) we had an injured player on the ground – we just needed that other rotation.

“I think we went in with a really specific game-style that we wanted to play on the day.

“Because we’ve got such different personnel from the previous year, and we've got up to 10 players different and in different positions as well, it’s just about cohesion.

“In patches we’ve been OK at it, but we needed to move the ball better and I was really happy with the work-rate in the first quarter especially with the way we were able to shut down and defend.”

Boronia coach Matt Clark calls the shots on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Ben Robertson fired in attack for the Hawks with three goals, while ex-AFL Bomber Josh Begley finished best afield.

“Yesterday in big moments, he (Begley) set us up just with his contested work at the stoppages … he’s a dangerous forward,” Clark said.

Nick Knoops starred in the ruck while also hitting the scoreboard with two majors – including the sealer at the 20-minute-mark of the final term.

“That was as good a game as he’s played for us,” Clark said.

“Some of the down-the-line marking (was impressive) and he’s in the top-three runners at our club, so for a bloke that tall to move like he can, he’s a really hard opponent to play on.”

Nick Knoops contests the ruck. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Blues defender Sam Hale was best on ground for the visitors, while spearhead Josh Williamson booted three majors, taking his season-total to eight from three outings.

The result lifts Boronia to the top of the ladder with a 3-0 start as the only remaining unbeaten side in the division.

The Hawks are away to East Burwood in Round 4 while the Blues travel to Mulgrave.

Boronia 4.5 6.11 8.13 9.17 (71)

Waverley Blues 1.3 2.4 5.5 9.7 (61)

Boronia

Goal kickers:

B. Robertson 3, N. Knoops 2, L. Hannon, Z. Dower, N. Hare, J. Begley

Best players:

J. Begley, N. Knoops, H. Burgess, M. Brasher, J. Lake, J. Hannon

Waverley Blues

Goal kickers:

J. Williamson 3, T. Langford, J. Walker 2, S. Johnson, O. Mohammad

Best players:

S. Hale, J. Strongman, R. McNamara, J. Walker, T. Hale, J. Mittell