EFNL Premier Division 2024: Unbeaten Balwyn grinds ‘most impressive win’

Balwyn has completed an unbeaten opening half of the season – and the captain says the weekend’s showing was its best yet. Here’s why.

Charlie Haley has a comp-leading 30 goals after five on the weekend, as his team etched its “most impressive” win. Photo by Josh Chadwick

Balwyn has closed out the first half of the season with an unblemished record – and captain Charlie Haley believes the club’s latest showing to be the most impressive.

The ladder-leading Tigers overturned a 10-point margin at half-time on Saturday to overcome third-placed Blackburn by nine points.

Missing ex-AFL Roo Kayne Turner (suspended), defenders Josh Pollocks and Kaden Schreiber (VFL), key forward Nathan Oakes and midfielder Jamie Ridd among others, Haley couldn’t fault his side’s resilience as it moved to 9-0.

Meanwhile, Louis Cunningham finished the match on the bench after suffering concussion.

“It was probably the most impressive win I reckon I’ve been involved with in home-and-away at Balwyn,” Haley said.

“We had a lot of boys out – six of maybe our top 12 players.

“To be down at half-time with three on the bench and pretty much the whole backline that’s played most of the year, to be able to put a stop to Blackburn’s forwards and us kick a winning score, it was an impressive performance from all the boys.

“We just went back to basics in the midfield (after half-time) – they got the job done again and gave us a chance to score … it was such an even performance from everybody and that’s been the story of the year.”

Haley finished with five goals in the 11.11 (77) to 9.14 (68) victory, taking his season total to a comp-leading 30 from nine matches.

Jordan Lisle and Jack Tillig kicked two each, taking their season tallies to 20 and 15 respectively, while Nathan Oakes has 19 in a multi-pronged Tiger attack.

Jordan Lisle. Photo by Josh Chadwick

“We’re going all right, I’m just trying to do my thing, it’s nice to kick a bit straighter – it makes a big difference,” Haley said.

“It’s a bit of a different forward line this year – most clubs after the game say it’s a potent forward line.

“With Jack Tillig playing a role every week, he usually bobs up with two or three, Jordan Lisle’s having a great year and Oakes has missed a few games but he normally hits the scoreboard.”

The Tigers debuted Ryan Apostolou and Jon Tsiavas – and the captain said the pair didn’t look out of place.

Apostolou, usually an on-baller, featured in a high half-forward role while Tsiavas slotted in through the midfield and across half-back.

“They came in and played their role,” Haley said.

“That’s the thing we’re trying to coach – everybody can come in and play their role and know what needs to be done, and that’s exactly what they did on the weekend.”

Haley also praised young gun Will La Motte, who has made his mark across nine senior matches this season.

He said the linking wingman and half-forward has AFL aspirations and all the tools to make it at the top level.

“He’s got every attribute that any AFL club would want really – he glides across the ground … when the ball’s around him he’s got every attribute you need,” Haley said.

“When he puts it all together, he’s pretty formidable – he’s a special talent (and) he’s definitely got the ability to play at a higher level.”