SFNL: Murrumbeena clinch crucial win to move a win clear in second

Murrumbeena coach Liam Wilson simplified the game for his players and it worked wonders in a crunch Southern league clash. Here's how the Lions did it.

Murrumbeena players run out onto the field during the Southern Football Netball League 2023 Division 2 Senior match between Murrumbeena and Doveton Doves at Murrumbeena Park in Murrumbeena, Victoria on July 8, 2023. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Pressure makes perfect.

Despite scraping through with the four points last week, Murrumbeena coach Liam Wilson felt the Lions’ needed to lift.

He put the heat on his players to bring the pressure this week, as they prepared for the red-hot Doveton, fresh off defeating the unblemished East Brighton.

Beena delivered in spades, comprehensively beating the Doves 8.11 (59) to 2.7 (19).

Wilson said the pressure applied by his group was the best he had seen in his coaching tenure.

“I thought our pressure was really poor last week against Caulfield,” he said.

“We kind of made it into a big pressure game for us in two ways, one being a mini final, playing for that second chance.

“And applying more pressure on them, I think we’re starting to play our home ground a lot better, teams are finding it hard to play on our ground now.

“The big message was apply the pressure to take the pressure off us with the second chance.

“I have banged on about it for the last two years I have been head coach of Beena.

“The boys put together the best pressure game I have seen for the last two years, and I think that’s a big reason why we won convincingly on the weekend.”

Steve Tolongs of Murrumbeena is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Paul Tsoucalas of Murrumbeena narrowly escapes a tackle. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

The win propels Murrumbeena a win clear of Doveton in second, all but securing the second chance.

But with Doveton having a string of home games at the back end of the year, it’s highly like the Lions and Doves will meet again.

Wilson is avoiding the now 2-0 ledger from home and away matches between the two sides, remaining very “wary” of what Doveton is capable of.

“It was really important, I rate them and I think on a big ground it’s going to be a lot closer than it was,” he said.

“They have a really good short game, they chip it around and they play some really good tempo footy at times as well.

“It was fortunate we played on our ground but I think the next time we meet them, it’s going to be a tighter game and a nice hard one.

“Especially in finals, everything lifts; we’re still very wary of them, we have beaten them twice but it doesn’t mean you automatically don’t lose to them in finals.”

Murrumbeena is now a win clear in second. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Milestone-man Steve Toolong, who celebrated his 200th game, was listed as the Lions’ best for his three-goal display.

Toolong has chipped away at another terrific season with 29 goals, having hit the scoreboard in all but one of his 12 matches.

“It was a really important game for him, he has a really big Greek family so he had a big cheer squad there,” Wilson said.

“He’s a much-loved player, a lot of boys look up to him – he is a great player and a great person in general.

“Every single game, he is always there kicking goals but I think on the weekend he applied that pressure we spoke about before.

Steve Tolongs of Murrumbeena runs out onto the field for his 200th game. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“I am a big one for forward line pressure… it was fantastic for him.”

Thomas Rigby, Sam Michael, Max Holmes and Dareo Rogers were also among Beena’s best.

Will Smith, Shannon Henwood and Dylan Chapman were the Doves’ best.

Elsewhere, East Brighton returned to the winners’ list through a hard-fought slog with Hampton Park.

Ryan Semmel booted four and was the Vampires’ best in the 6.5 (41) to 3.5 (23) win.

Skye won a tight one over a valiant Black Rock, 7.10 (52) to 6.10 (46).

Coach Aaron Pacey was Skye’s best.

Caulfield Bears was on the other side of the tight result this weekend, defeating Keysborough 13.4 (82) to 11.12 (78).

Patrick Chin kicked five for the Bears while Tom Shaw kicked three for the Burras.

Highett, meanwhile, remained in the hunt for a second-chance finish with a 14.15 (99) to 3.15 (33) triumph over East Malvern.