EFNL Premier Division: Doncaster East defeats Balwyn as Mak Hoskin stars

The Lions are on the march after accounting for a top-four rival on Saturday, with the coach pointing to two key areas of improvement. But their best could be ahead ...

Doncaster East coach Ryan James says his side is yet to hit its straps – but the past fortnight has been a significant step.

The Lions knocked over finals-bound rival Balwyn in the Eastern league’s Premier Division on Saturday to the tune of 32 points – 9.10 (64) to 3.14 (32) – rocketing into third spot on the ladder with a 7-3 record.

James said the midfield had taken some time adjusting to life without former AFL ruckman Zac Clarke this season, while the back six had also taken time to gel.

But the coach praised a lift in both areas across the past two rounds – which had also included a win over Norwood – as his charges led comfortably at all changes on Saturday, holding Balwyn goalless to half-time.

Tom Bell kicked two goals and featured among the best for Doncaster East. Pictured earlier this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We sat down at the bye as we weren’t happy with the way we were defending, just with a lot of new boys to the club … we weren’t happy with how we were defending as a whole so we put a bit of a focus on that,” James said.

“Our midfield got to work – we haven’t been happy with where we’ve been at as a midfield either and both of those seemed to click to keep a high-scoring team like Balwyn to zero goals at half-time.

“I felt we controlled most of it (the game), apart from a patch in the third quarter.”

Makinley Hoskin turned on a best-afield ruck performance in the absence of ex-VFL man Lachie Waddell, as former AFL midfielder Tom Bell booted two goals while also lending a hand in the ruck.

Mak Hoskin takes a strong grab this season for Doncaser East. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“To have Mak, about 190cm, ruck 90 per cent of the game gave our mids first-use and just his follow-up (was impressive),” James said.

“For a 19-year-old kid, he’s just a competitive beast – even some of our mids were coming off yesterday and saying that his attack on the ball is just unbelievable.”

The result marks a third-straight victory for Doncaster East – which dropped two in a row late last month at the hands of Rowville and East Ringwood.

“I think we’re building,” James said.

“We’ve got eight or nine new boys from last year who are still learning how to play together, and I’m still learning how to coach those individuals.

“I definitely feel we’re improving, but I don’t think we’re where we quite want to be at the moment, but 7-3 keeps us in the fight.”

Doncaster East hosts reigning premier Noble Park (fourth, 7-3) in Round 11 while Balwyn (sixth, 7-3) meets Blackburn (seventh, 6-4).

Doncaster East 3.3, 6.6, 7.7, 9.10 (64)

Balwyn 0.2, 0.5, 2.10, 3.14 (32)

Doncaster East

Goals:

T. Bell 2, A. Fasanella, J. Sholakis, G. Papahronis, L. Loverso, J. Papadopoulos, J. Deluca, G. Varagiannis

Best:

M. Hoskin, T. Bell, T. Duman, N. Hay, C. Phelan, J. Lowther

Balwyn

Goals:

C. Andersen, C. Haley, W. Stephenson

Best:

N. Oakes, H. Cronje, B. Smith, F. Hicks, C. Haley