EFNL Division 4 2024: Croydon North-MLOC upsets Forest Hill in ‘arguably the biggest win this club’s had’
Confidence is brimming at Croydon North-MLOC after it toppled Forest Hill in Division 4 on Saturday. And the win means plenty to the five-year-old Eastern league club ...
Eastern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The coach demanded a scalp – and his charges delivered.
Croydon North-MLOC upset Forest Hill in Eastern’s Division 4 on Saturday, 14.7 (91) to 10.10 (70) for their second win of the season.
Trailing by four points at quarter-time, the Kanga-Rams surged three ahead at the main break before holding the advantage by a kick at the final change.
Croydon North-MLOC senior coach Ben Oakes said his group simply had to dig in to hold off the fifth-placed Zebras in a last-quarter arm wrestle.
“It’s arguably the biggest win this club’s had to be honest,” Oakes said.
“Beating Forest Hill away … everyone struggles there and they’re a better side on their home deck.
“They were stoked and I’m pretty proud of them … but at the same time, it’s just another win, so we’ve just got to keep ticking along.
“It was a bit of a relief for us, but as I said to the guys, it’s reward for effort over the last six or seven games where we’ve been tracking in the right direction – we just haven’t been able to stay in the game.
“(On Saturday) even though we were down at quarter-time, I really felt we controlled the game and they’re pretty happy with themselves to be honest.”
Jacob Crowe fired off five goals while recently returned forward Bailey Cheong booted four.
“When we needed goals, he (Crowe) produced, alongside Bailey Cheong,” Oakes said.
“Bailey missed the whole of last season with an ACL and this was only his second game back – we’ve got him back and we’re rapt. He’s in some good form.
“Having those two up there (forward), we’ve missed that.”
Small forward Ben Gill finished with two majors while Ryan Kelly again stood tall at centre half-back.
But the biggest shout was reserved for ruckman Tom Galway, who turned out a best-afield performance.
“He was huge for us – I felt a bit sorry for him, every time he came off for a rest, I was getting into him to get back on the ground. He was so influential,” Oakes said.
“I don’t think we had any passengers and that wins you a game of footy.”
The result lifts the Kanga-Rams to a 2-6 record for sixth spot, while it’s a fifth-straight loss for the Zebras whose season sits at two wins and seven losses.
Oakes said his side built confidence from its drought-breaking win over Nunawading last month, but Saturday’s result “should reassure the group” it was capable of taking scalps.
“We’re giving ourselves a chance now, we’re pretty excited with where we’re at – albeit we’ve only won two games – so we can’t get ahead of ourselves,” Oakes said.
“We’re not getting blown out, and now we’ve been able to tick off Forest Hill.
“Winning breeds confidence.”
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.
Ex-VFL man wins Vermont’s top job
The Eastern league’s most successful club has wasted no time appointing its next senior coach following the exit of Adam Parker, with a former state league assistant taking the reins.