Nunawading records closest loss in two years in Eastern Football League
A SIX-GOAL loss isn’t usually something to celebrate, but when you haven’t won for two years and your average losing margin is 162 points, that’s as good as a win.
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ITS losing streak has extended to two years but the wheel may be starting to turn at Nunawading.
The Lions had their closest loss since Round 12, 2015 on Saturday when they suffered a 39-point loss to Silvan at Koonung Reserve.
Nunawading was left to rue a lapse in the second term when it conceded five goals to one to trail by 39 points at halftime.
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Silvan extended its margin to 54 points at the final change but Nunawading finished strongly, kicking five goals to two in the last term to fall to a 14.23 (107) to 9.14 (68) loss.
Nunawading’s score was also its highest since Round 14, 2015 when it kicked 11.8 (74) against Ferntree Gully.
Nunawading’s last win came on June 20, 2015, when it defeated Donvale by 42 points.
Nunawading coach Paul Bevan said progress was being made at the struggling club, whose average losing margin last year was 43 goals.
It has reduced its average losing margin this year to 27 goals.
“Saturday was definitely not a win but it is a big step forward and a big confidence booster for the guys as well that they are starting to see the improvements,” Bevan said.
“We still have patches in games where we lapse, which let the opposition in, like on Saturday we lapsed for 15 minutes in the second quarter and they kicked three or four quick goals.
“Coming from so far back we have to reduce the scores and those goals so obviously defence is the priority.”
Bevan said he was hopeful the Lions could break their 35-game losing streak before the end of the season.
“I haven’t put pressure on the boys that we have to get a win,” he said.
“If the win falls our way that will be a bonus for the group.
“Fingers crossed — anything can happen in the second half of the year.”
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