EFNL Division 3: Ferntree Gully, Fairpark draw in after-the-siren classic

Ferntree Gully and Fairpark couldn’t be split in one of the Eastern league’s most heart-stopping finishes this season, as both coaches reveal the fallout ...

Ferntree Gully and Fairpark couldn’t be split in one of the Eastern league’s most heart-stopping finishes this season.

The second-seeded Eagles pinched a last-gasp draw with the fifth-placed Lions on Saturday, courtesy of a late mark to Ryley Pentland who goaled after the siren to lock the scores 11.6 (72) to 10.12 (72).

Ferntree Gully senior coach Brent Kiker said his side “scrapped it out” after being dealt injuries to three key players by half-time – but conceded his side was “lucky” to escape with a draw.

Ferntree Gully’s Daniel De Ieso suffered a hamstring injury in the draw. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Ruckmen Daniel De Ieso (hamstring) and Lachlan Monteath (toe) took no further part in the match after half-time, while Jayden Purdon (calf) exited the field in the opening five minutes.

“It was sort of one of those days where we were going to have to fight pretty hard, which we did,” Kiker said.

“Taking nothing away from them (Fairpark), they played really well – we were lucky to get the draw to be honest.

“I thought they (Fairpark) were the better side on the day, to be fair.”

But the Eagles’ coach said his players adapted to the cut-throat final moments after training for tight finishes.

They sit 12 points clear in second spot on the Division 3 ladder behind Donvale with 11 wins, three losses and a draw.

“We’d spoken about scenarios – under a goal up or under a goal down, so for us to change the way we play in that last couple of minutes to give ourselves a chance was probably a positive to take out of it,” Kiker said.

Eagles coach Brent Kiker. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Fairpark coach Sean Stanton said his side “didn’t throw the towel in”, crediting his players’ endeavour, but lamented poor decision-making and inaccuracy at the finish.

“In the last term we were able to nudge our way in front … we sort of held a seven or eight-point lead for a period of time, and we couldn’t get that goal to break the game open,” he said.

“We probably made some poor decisions at clutch, crucial times.

“I was really proud of the effort … the guys played their hearts out, but we probably cost ourselves in a lot of ways.”

Fairpark coach Sean Stanton. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Lions (5-9-1) sit 10 points out of the top four with three matches to play, behind Oakleigh District in fourth.

Fairpark would need to win all of their final three matches – Whitehorse Pioneers (eighth), Oakleigh District and Silvan (third) – and have Oakleigh drop its last three to be any chance of finals.

Stanton said the missed opportunity hit home following the siren.

“Straight after the game it probably felt a little that way, but then we were going to have to rely on results (to make the finals) regardless,” he said.

“Two points is better than no points … it would’ve been good to have secured the four points.

“Some people would sit back and say you’ve pushed a top-two team … but it also feels like a loss.”

Kiker was hopeful star midfielder Luke McComb would return from a shoulder injury for this weekend’s clash with Silvan alongside key tall Brayden Wright, while De Ieso could return for the last-round match against the Pioneers.

Fairpark 2.2, 5.6, 8.10, 10.12 (72)

Ferntree Gully 2.3, 7.4, 10.4, 11.6 (72)

Fairpark

Goals:

B. Dadswell 5, M. Nied 2, B. Nied 2, J. Lees

Best:

J. Want, C. Hayman, S. Raru, B. Dadswell, M. Nied, K. Hird

Ferntree Gully

Goals:

J. Flannery 3, C. Salvador 3, G. Kalisperis 2, K. Gray, R. Pentland, H. McAleese

Best:

A. Bull, L. Young, R. Pentland, J. Flannery, K. Gray, J. Siewert