SFNL: Doveton Eagles sit 2-1 under new coach Rob Marks

Doveton Eagles has turned fears of its future in a stunning start to the season. We go inside the nest to see why belief is building.

Rob Marks Doveton Eagles

Belief is building at Doveton Eagles.

After winning the 2019 Division 2 SFNL premiership, the Eagles went through the ringer.

A player exodus was followed by the difficulties of Covid, forcing a club that recently saluted silverware to forfeit games of football.

The Eagles won just one game in 2022 and had a deplorable percentage of just 29.29.

But things are starting to turn for Doveton under new coach Rob Marks and he said the belief is beginning to grow after the sides second win in three bouts on Saturday.

“They’re starting to believe,” Marks said.

“They’re believing because they have done it – it’s enormous.

“What’s happened is they never had a structure or a game plan but with me, it’s the way I roll, I have a game plan, I have structure and the guys are enjoying it.

“We had a massive pre-season, so we have a running game, we spread more.

“The drills I bring every night are different, it’s making them think, that’s what football is about, it’s not about going up and down the lines.”

Singing the song has been rare at Doveton Eagles but Rob Marks is bringing it back into vogue. Pictures: SUPPLIED.

Marks, coming from Western Australia, has brought Renee Anderson, Ashley Boden and his three sons – Mitchell, Kobi and Ricci – with him to the Eagles and is confident they’re having a profound impact on the group.

“I have brought a couple of guys from WA to come and play footy under me,” he said.

“It’s helped give us power in the midfield and in the forward line, everyone is playing a role and that’s what it’s about.

“We’re building that belief and the boys are starting to like it – they’re starting to realise, this is football.”

Rob Marks.

The Eagles’ 10.18 (78) to 10.12 (72) win over Lyndale at the weekend has Doveton in third on the ladder with a 2-1 record.

That one loss came at the hands of a highly fancied South Mornington unit.

The loss wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as the Tigers gave Marks some positive feedback on where his side is at.

“I think they’re talking about us now, they just can’t believe it,” he said.

“South Mornington, they came up to me after the game and said: ‘you have done something to this club, we’re overwhelmed with what you have done’.

“I want the guys to know that clubs are talking about them now, which is a good thing.”

Elsewhere in Division 4, South Mornington defeated Dandenong 15.8 (98) to 5.3 (33) and Hampton plundered South Yarra 40.20 (260) to 1.4 (10).

The Eagles face two sides below them on the ladder before the bye in Round 7.