Taylors Lakes wins first premiership since 2010 in the EDFL

A call to play a leading forward, in what might be his final game, under an injury cloud has led Taylors Lakes to Division 2 glory in the EDFL. See how the club plans to build for Division 1 next year.

Taylors Lakes celebrate after winning the Essendon District Football League Division Two. Photo by Josh Chadwick

If this is the last game for Taylor Lakes forward Raafat Rachrache he picked the perfect game to go out on after delivering a grand final performance to guide his team to premiership glory.

All while being under an injury cloud throughout the week.

Taylors Lakes won their first premiership since 2010 with a 19-point win over Westmeadows in the EDFL Division 2 decider.

In a close-contest the margin was just four points at the final break before the Lions kicked away in the final term, scoring three goals to none, to claim the title.

Taylors Lakes celebrate winning the Essendon District Football League Division Two grand final match. Photo by Josh Chadwick

The margin could have been greater if Taylors Lakes didn’t kicked seven behinds.

“We said at three quarter time let’s play our game and we’re not here to lose it, let’s go out and win it,” Taylors Lakes coach Steve Burns said.

“We made some moves and in the end released the shackles a little bit.

“We knew our fitness would get us through.”

The star of the show was Rachrache who kicked five goals.

Raafat Rachrache kicked five goals in the final in what could be his last game in seniors. Photo by Josh Chadwick

But he was a major doubt to play.

“Raafat did his hamstring in the semi,” Burns revealed.

“He battled to get through, he had an enormous fitness test on Tuesday and done really well and got himself through.

“It was a tough call to pick him and I backed him in.

“He said to me Thursday night ‘I’ll kick six,’ he’s ended up kicking five.

“He’s backed himself in.”

Burns revealed it’s likely to be Rachrache’s last senior game with the experienced veteran likely to still play but in lower grades.

If it is, Rachrache leaves after playing almost two decades in both the EDFL and Northern league for multiple clubs.

“It’s a great way to go out,” Burns said.

“He’s telling me he’s finished in senior football (after Saturday).”

Burns said the focus was now on building for next year and being a major player in Division 1.

“If our side stayed the same we’d be good enough to stay up,” Burns revealed.

“But we want to go into the comp and be, not a contender as such, but someone who is respected and can win any game they go into.

“To do that we will need to improve the squad.

“We’re hoping to get some one pointers who are waiting for us to be in Division 1.

“We’ll also need to get in some big bodied players.”

For now the club is pleased to have delivered on its goal to improve on and off the field.

“I came back to the club in 2022,” Burns said.

“Our aim was to get the club back into a respected position because it was sitting third last in Division 2 (at that time).

“All we wanted to do was start building from the bottom and build out to be the club it used to be.

“We’ve been able to do that and progress a tiny bit quicker than thought.

“To achieve our goal this year is amazing.

“Now we get back to a division we think we should be playing in.”