Whittlesea learns critical lessons from Greensborough mauling

Whittlesea coach Blair Harvey reveals he requested a Round 1 clash against NFL Division 1 heavyweight Greensborough and what he learnt from the match.

Tom Falls in action for Whittlesea during the 2019 NFL Division 2 grand final. Picture: Hamish Blair

Whittlesea coach Blair Harvey revealed he requested a Round 1 match against Greensborough to test his players against arguably the NFL Division 1’s best team.

Harvey certainly got what he wanted with the Borough handing the 2019 Division 2 premier a 53-point hiding at Whittlesea Showgrounds.

Despite the defeat it was a potentially priceless lesson for the Eagles who are looking to cement themselves at the level.

Harvey said he and his players now knew what it was going to take to survive and hopefully thrive.

“I requested we play Greensborough in Round 1, I talked to the league about that,” Harvey said.

Paul Higgins in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“They’re the benchmark, going off what we saw in 2019, and I wanted our guys to get out against the best and see where we’re at. It was a good learning curve for us, that’s for sure.

“Where the intensity level needs to be, we need to be consistent the whole time because if we drop off sides in Division 1 are going to score against us pretty quickly, which is what happened on the weekend.

“Our pressure has got to be better and we’ve got to be cleaner, so we know now what to expect.”

It wasn’t all bad news for Whittlesea with encouraging debuts from Jake and Mitch Wild and Cam Barrett.

Ex-VFL ruckman Sam Peet should be fit for Round 2 after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Blake Watson kicked three goals against some of the best defenders in the competition and only some inaccuracy in front of goal in the final quarter denied the team a strong finish.

Harvey was most pleased with Riley Carter who was named the Eagles’ best player.

“Riley is a stalwart of the football club at only 21 and had a massive pre-season, got himself super fit, and got the reward on Saturday,” he said.

Riley Carter in action for Whittlesea in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s a hard runner, breaks the lines, he’s just got to belief in himself a bit more because he can become a really good player for Whittlesea and in Division 1.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Whittlesea with a home clash against Heidelberg in Round 2.

Harvey knows the Tigers well having won five premierships with the club and will go head-to-head with his long-time friend Danny Nolan.

Heidelberg are coming off an 87-point hammering of Hurstbridge and will be tough to stop at home.

DIV 1: SAAD INSPIRES ROOSTERS’ SECOND-HALF DEMOLITION

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

DIV 3: LAMBERT DOES IT FOR DAD IN LAURIMAR THRILLER

“They had a massive win against Hurstbridge, so they’ll be confident,” Harvey said.

“The team’s changed quite a lot, they’re very young, a lot of new names at the club, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“Expectations haven’t changed, it’s all about surviving, and we’re excited to see what the best teams are like and where we’re at.

“We talk about it all the time internally, where can improve win, lose or draw, so it’s about learning and improving week-to-week.”