SFNL: East Brighton books a place in the Division 2 grand final with a win over Doveton
Despite the ease in which they have handled opposition teams this year, East Brighton coach Nick Jewell said his side won’t be taking anyone lightly in their quest for Division 2 glory.
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While East Brighton is now on the cusp of achieving a somewhat destined premiership, Vampires coach Nick Jewell dismissed needing to navigate his side around complacency.
The Vampires have been the runaway best team all year, having just one slip up from 19 matches.
On Saturday, Jewell’s men punched their ticket to the Southern league Division 2 grand final, defeating Doveton 14.9 (93) to 7.6 (48) in the second semi final.
And although an East Brighton outfit without two of its best players — Sean Downie and Tyrren Head — still won with conviction, Jewell is under no illusions that it won’t take their best to win the flag.
“There won’t be any of that,” he said of potential complacency.
“Sean Downie and Ryan Semmel, for starters, haven’t played in a senior premiership and there’s probably a heap more.
“They’re really hungry for success.
“I don’t think anyone goes in complacent to a grand final, whoever you play is a bloody good side as well, so you need to know you have to be on.
“We’re going to have to be right on the ball, whoever we play.”
According to Jewell, the Vampires needed to “get their hands dirty” at stoppage after Doveton nullified their impact in the first term.
From then, top performances from Daniel Taberner, Michael Giles, Luke Semmel, Brady Egan and Callum Morgan allowed spearhead Nick Corp to kick half-a-dozen majors.
His six leaps off the page but Jewell said it’s his no-fear-pack-crashing that he enjoyed the most.
“He’s been a very good player for a long time,” he said.
“He always gives a contest, whether he’s marking it or bringing it to ground, he very rarely gets out marked and he smashes packs.
“He creates opportunity for others, I liked our whole forward line yesterday, they created space for others to duck into, Brady Egan was terrific and Morgan at half forward I thought was super as well.
“Semmel got on the end and kicked two or three by finding opportunity from the big boys.”
Jewell has led some imperious sides in his coaching career.
He steered Rosebud to a long-awaited premiership, guided a star-laden Sorrento and now has East Brighton on the edge of Division 1 football.
Jewell said the best part about coaching a group like his current one is their ability to turn advice into action.
“We’re certainly a good side and have some good experience,” he said.
“We have some guys that have played a higher level so it makes it a lot easier on the ground, you don’t have to do too much tweaking.
“If you ask for something to happen, they make the change.
“We’re a skilful side but I love the way when we have to get our hands dirty, like yesterday, undermanned through the mids, we just get it done.
“We’re a balanced team at the moment.”
For Doveton, Cameron Williamson kicked three, while Sam Muirhead, Will Smith, James Gascard, Matthew Jameson and Dylan Bowman were among the best.
The Doves will play the winner of Sunday’s clash between Murrumbeena and Highett.
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