Mitcham fighting to avoid relegation from Division 2 in the Eastern Football League

MITCHAM is facing the prospect of fighting to avoid its third Eastern Football League wooden spoon as the Tigers battle for survival in the second tier of the competition.

James McCubbin snaps on goal. Picture: Mark Dadswell

MITCHAM is facing the prospect of fighting to avoid its third Eastern Football League wooden spoon as the Tigers battle for survival in the second tier of the competition.

Mitcham has endured a winless start to the season after waving goodbye to a host of senior players over the summer, undergoing a rebuild as it turns to youth.

The Tigers and fellow former Division 1 club Mulgrave, who was relegated from the top flight in 2011, both have 0-4 records to be in the Division 2 relegation battle.

They need to make up a game on Croydon, who sit in ninth with one win.

Two sides will be demoted from Division 2 at the end of the year as part of the EFL restructure.

Despite losing Petracca brothers Julian and Rob, Jayden Hoegel and Mitch Keedle to North Ringwood over the summer, as well as Anthony Faulkner (Coldstream), Tom Miles (Waverley Blues) and Zak McCubbin (Greensborough), Mitcham president Matt McCubbin said the Tigers had expected a better start to the season.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“It’s hard, from a supporter’s point of view it’s obviously frustrating but I suppose we’re just trying to push the message that what we are doing is long-term and there is short-term pain,” McCubbin said.

“From an internal point of view with the coaches, players and the committee, we all see where we are headed.

“If we didn’t see any improvement at this stage five weeks in it would be a concern but I reckon we are starting to put the pieces together slowly.”

Mitcham’s only previous EFL wooden spoons were in 2006 and 2007 before claiming the 2015 Division 3 premiership.

After adding Jesse Uren, Jessie Smyth and Zac Elms from Division 3 club Ferntree Gully during the pre-season, as well as David McCardle (Montrose), Carson MacArtney (East Ringwood) and Matt Gordon (Yarra Glen), McCubbin said the Tigers were committed to rebuilding the list.

“We see it progressing it’s just a matter of how long everyone can see what we have got in plan is working,” he said.

“We never aim to get relegated, no club does ... we honestly see the second half of the season that we’ll improve.”