Lilydale marks its 1000th EFL game with a 27-point win over Upper Ferntree Gully

LILYDALE continued its best start to a season in seven years with a come-from-behind 27-point victory over Upper Ferntree Gully to mark its 1000th EFL game in style.

Beau Mitchener was influential in the second half for Lilydale. Picture: Geoff Klep

LILYDALE continued its best start to a season in seven years with a come-from-behind 27-point victory over Upper Ferntree Gully on Saturday.

Celebrating its 1000th game in the Eastern Football League, the Falcons marked the occasion with a 13.8 (86) to 9.5 (59) win to continue its undefeated start to the Eastern Football League Division 2 season.

The Falcons trailed by 10 points at the long break but kicked nine goals to three after halftime to move to a 7-0 record ahead of next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash against flag fancy Doncaster East.

Lilydale coach Ben Neagle said the performance highlighted the growing maturity in his side.

“I think I have been saying that most of the year that the growth in our group has been quicker than what I had anticipated,” Neagle said.

“Our young leaders are just standing tall ... just really happy with our development.

“It doesn’t surprise me, it excites me, I know what we have and I know what we’ve got so it doesn’t surprise me because they work their backsides off over the summer. They are just getting reward for effort.”

Beau Mitchener was shifted forward in the second half and the move proved to be a masterstroke, kicking two clutch goals after halftime to help steer his side to its seventh win of the season.

Young co-captain Lachlan Wilson stamped his authority on the contest to be among Lilydale’s best players, standing up in the last quarter when the game was on the line.

Lachlan Koger was also influential in the ruck to help swing the game in his side’s favour.

It’s the first time Lilydale has won it’s first seven games since 2011 when the Falcons won the Division 2 premiership, with Neagle adding the win continued to prove his side’s finals credentials.

“I think we are not far away,” he said

“We’re showing signs but we are only seven rounds into an 18-round season so there is still a lot of footy to be played.”