Montmorency facing difficult month in NFL Division 1 after four consecutive wins
MONTMORENCY has recovered after a slow start to the season to sit outside the top four on percentage, but is facing a challenging month.
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MONTMORENCY is preparing itself for what could be a defining month of its Division 1 campaign.
Recovering from a 2-5 start to the season, Saturday’s 51-point win over Lower Plenty saw the Magpies notch their fourth consecutive win to sit outside the top four on percentage.
However, Montmorency face a crucial four weeks with games against Eltham, Macleod and top two sides Heidelberg and Greensborough.
Coach Ben Haynes said his side’s form turnaround had been on the back of the team’s young players adapting to Division 1 footy, with senior players Ben Fennell, Stephen McCallum and Jesse Donaldson leading the way.
“We were really confident they were going to get there and make the grade but it was just a matter of time,” Haynes said.
“Certainly some of these young guys are playing some really good footy and are starting to get an understanding of what is required at Division 1 level.
“That has been the real catalyst, certainly our top-end players are playing some good footy as well.”
Haynes said the past four wins had it well placed to test its finals credentials.
“The past month has given us confidence we can compete with the top sides but it is just about trying to keep this momentum moving forward,” he said.
“The young guys are still in that stage where they are going to go up and down and in and out of games so we’re just trying to bridge that gap and get some consistency.”
In other Division 1 results from the weekend, Eltham was upstaged by Whittlesea by one-point and Greensborough kicked five goals to one behind in the final quarter to score a 33-point win over Macleod.
In Division 2, North Heidelberg defeated Panton Hill by 36 points and Diamond Creek accounted for Thomastown to the tune of 39 points.
Undefeated Hurstbridge had the bye.
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