EFNL Division 4 2024: Chirnside Park’s flag hunt in ‘a lot better shape’ than last year, coach says

Chirnside Park claimed the scalp of another flag rival on Saturday as it enjoys a six-game winning streak. And the coach is confident his charges are better placed for a flag tilt this year.

Chirnside Park skipper Chaz Clavant. Picture: Hamish Blair

Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands is confident his group is in “a lot better shape” in the run to finals than it was last season.

The Division 4 contender consolidated second spot on the ladder on Saturday – boosting its hopes of a finals double chance – after a 10.10 (70) to 3.6 (24) rout in a 2 v 3 clash with the Whitehorse Pioneers.

The Panthers, who moved eight points clear in second, have won six in a row – boasting victories over all of their top-four rivals in three of their past four matches.

“For three of the last four weeks we’ve played Scoresby in the pouring rain, Kilsyth last week in the rain and Whitehorse (in the rain) on Saturday – it’s just made us hardened for those games and we know what we have to do,” Newlands said.

But a top-two finish is still up for grabs with Chirnside Park pitted against Nunawading and Forest Hill in its final two matches – and a bye in the last round.

“I really rate Nunawading and Forest Hill – Nunawading were up on us in the last quarter when we last played them and Forest Hill have beaten us,” Newlands said.

“It’s (top two) looking good, but it’s not sewn up yet.”

Chirnside Park hit the finals on a nine-game winning streak last season, but Newlands was adamant his players were better poised for a flag tilt this time around.

Chirnside Park’s finals campaign was short-lived last year as it was turfed from the flag race in week one. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’re in a lot better shape than we were last year,” he said.

“Last year we had to win everything coming home because we were ravaged by injuries at the start. But we’ve actually been able to manage players (this year).”

Ben Slattery finished with two goals for Chirnside Park on Saturday, while ruckman Paul Thatcher was also among the best.

Newlands said Thatcher had combined well with 300-game veteran Grattan Stephens, who came out of retirement earlier this season.

“I reached out to ‘Sticks’ (Stephens) after round 3 or 4 and thought there would be an opportunity to get him back – he was the Team of the Year ruckman,” Newlands said.

“Him and Paul Thatcher are close mates and work well together. It’s perfect to get them both out there when we need them.”