Southern league: the ex-AFL Demon powering Chelsea Heights’ surge

A former Melbourne player “absolutely destroyed them’’ as Chelsea Heights climbed to top spot in Southern league Division 2.

Luke Tapscott has been in mint form for Chelsea Heights. Picture: Valeriu Campan

With top spot up for grabs, Chelsea Heights coach Josh Bull sensed his players were “up and about’’ early on Saturday.

And so it was; the 11-1 Demons ruthless as they thrashed Caulfield Bears by 78 points, 15.18-108 to 4.6 (30), at Beazley Reserve.

At the heart of the victory was Luke Tapscott, the former Melbourne player and Sorrento coach who is relishing playing at the club around the corner from his home.

“I think the best game he’s played for us was on the weekend, he can just play anywhere on the ground,’’ Bull said.

“We started him forward, but there was a howling wind and we threw him to half back at quarter time and he played there the rest of the game and absolutely destroyed them.’’

Luke Tapscott.

Chelsea Heights kicked four unanswered goals in the opening quarter and another seven in the third term to storm clear of fourth-placed Caulfield.

Exciting ruckman Gus MacPherson, from a basketball background, played an outstanding game, while Luke Clark, Aaron French, Cameron Gates and Jessie Odell were also among the Demons best.

Brad Gilder and Jackson Fry were lively up forward, kicking four and three goals respectively, while opportunist small forward Shaun Chaseling slotted two goals.

Shaun Chaseling.

Aaron French.

Tapscott and Bull are next door neighbours, and Bull says the former Melbourne 48-gamer has been the perfect fit for Chelsea Heights.

“He’s enjoying himself, he’s got his work life, footy, family balance…he’s got a young family, a bit like myself,’’ Bull said.

“He loved his time at Sorrento but (now) it’s five minutes to training and it’s five minutes home.

“Him not coaching, he just seems to be less stressed and enjoying himself just rocking up enjoying his footy.

“But he’s also fully committed to the year and he trains both nights a week and he’s out there with our reserves and he’s always happy to give feedback to all the players and even to myself to be honest…he’s been a perfect fit.

“Often when guys get recruited from a higher league, ex-AFL and the like, they give you good on-field service but he’s been really good off it as well.’’

There is an air of excitement at Chelsea Heights as the club marches towards September success.

Chelsea Heights coach Josh Bull. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bull says his team features a good mix of experience and youth, and a midfield that “bats deep’’.

“We had a good conversation as a group early in the year about where we thought we could go,’’ Bull said.

“Obviously our aim was to make finals.

“We’ve set ourselves little goals throughout the year and we seem to be ticking them off. So that’s an important thing for us as a group and we’ve probably got a little bit of upside, too, we think.’’

Chelsea Heights faces Doveton, second, and Keysborough, third, in a virtual mini-finals hit-out over the next two weeks.

“Doveton this week is huge, the boys are super keen,’’ Bull said.

“And then you’ve got Keysy, so it’s the top three battling it out over the next couple of weeks. So, it’s pretty exciting.’’