Viral Eagle mascot makes eye-catching return to MPFNL

The Eagle mascot who went viral on AFL mid-season draft night made an eye-catching return to local football in the Mornington Peninsula league as Mt Eliza’s premiership defence gathered momentum.

Will Bravo escapes the clutches of Pines’ Cameron Olden. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The Eagle mascot who went viral on AFL mid-season draft night made an eye-catching return to local football in the Mornington Peninsula league on Saturday.

Will Bravo was influential in Mt Eliza’s 68-point win over Pines at Madsen Reserve.

The Richmond VFL listed midfielder, playing only his third game of the season and first in a month after a knee injury, had 14 touches, including 11 contested possessions, and kicked a goal in the 19.13 (127) to 8.11 (59) win.

“He made a difference,’’ Mt Eliza coach Rikki Johnston said.

Bravo, dressed as an Eagles mascot, danced with joy after his good mate Tom McCarthy was selected by West Coast in the draft last month.

Will Bravo in the viral moment of the AFL mid-season draft.

Mt Eliza, after a slow start to its premiership defence (winning only one of its first five games), has hit its straps in recent weeks.

The Redlegs fired off 10 goals in the third quarter to power clear of Pines, making it three wins in their past four games.

Lachie Williams kicked four goals in a best-field display after splitting his game time between the midfield and forward.

“He’s just an exciting player to watch when he’s up and about,” Johnston said.

Fraser Phillips also kicked four goals, while Justin Davies was good down back and Will Lambert played himself back into form.

Lachlan Williams gets a kick away while under pressure. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Johnston says the Redlegs have been boosted by the return of senior players.

“The biggest area of improvement, we’ve looked after the footy,’’ he said.

“And we’ve started to get a few players back in now. That’s been a big positive.

“We’ve used 39 players already, that’s really unusual for this time of the year.

“The last three weeks is the first time we’ve had minimal changes, a bit of continuity starting to get some senior players back which has been a big help.’’

Up and about: Mt Eliza players celebrating their win. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Mt Eliza and Pines do battle. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Premiership player Elliott Simmons has played the past two games in the reserves and will press for selection.

“The real positive is the competition for spots,’’ Johnston said.

“We probably haven’t had too much of that in the first five or six weeks but now there are four or five or six waiting in the twos ready to go. It drives the standards up across the board and it makes training more intense, it’s really what you need to compete.’’

Johnston said Mt Eliza’s turnaround was through trusting its processes.

“You’ve got to stick at it,’’ he said.

“I don’t think you forget how to play overnight and although we had a rough start we didn’t stop believing, and it was more about getting back to work.

“And confidence is an amazing thing as well, and once that swung our way a little bit it’s been a much more enjoyable last couple of weeks.’’

Meanwhile, Frankston YCW champion Byron Barry celebrated his 250th game in style, kicking a goal in the Stonecats’ win over Langwarrin, 15.6 (96) to 8.9 (57). Blake Mullane capped a best-on-ground display with two goals and Luke Smaluch, Christian Tsiampas and Jackson Muscillo impressed.

Edithvale-Aspendale produced a late surge to salvage a draw against Mornington. The Eagles trailed at every change before kicking the last three goals of the game to knot scores at 11.13 (79).