Braybrook wins its first game of 2023 over North Footscray

Braybrook got on the board for the first time in 2023 with a stirring win over North Footscray. Coach Geoff Maddern reveals what was key in the lead up.

Three words defined Braybrook’s first win of 2023 — courage, perseverance and resilience.

Brookers coach Geoff Maddern said those words were the theme of the week in the lead up to his side’s 12.8 (80) to 7.20 (62) victory over North Footscray on Saturday afternoon.

It has been a tough return to Division 2 of the WRFL this season for Braybrook after a large number of premiership players departed the season.

Maddern only took over from John Mangos about a “week and a half” before the season got started.

But after plenty of pain, there was a sense of relief at Pennell Reserve.

“It’s been a challenging year so it’s nice to get a win,” Maddern said.

“It was our best performance of the year and the first time we’ve been able to string four quarters together. We’ve shown in patches but we’re capable of but then lapses let us down.

There was plenty to celebrate for Braybrook. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I originally joined the club in a development role to work with some of the younger guys so when I was asked to take over, my knowledge of the competition was pretty thin.

“We’ve developed a game plan and as a team, it’s all been building to this moment in the last few weeks. On Saturday, I thought it all came together, especially the ball movement. We converted well when North were a little bit inaccurate and we capitalised on our chances.”

The weekend also saw Braybrook produce its biggest score of the season (it’s previous high was 41).

Jayden Hoskin-Elliott thrived up forward with three goals while Nicholas Gregson added a couple of his own.

Anthony Fattore was named the best player on the ground.

“He’s a great young fella,” Maddern said of Fattore.

“His left foot is deadly. His understanding and reading of the game has really come to the floor in the last few weeks. He took probably 10 to 15 uncontested marks, some intercepts, which showed just how far he had come.

“Nathan Spackman really stood up in the last quarter after we lost one of our other players. He’d been good all day but played a really key defensive role in the middle of the ground.”

Jayden Hoskin-Elliott celebrates a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Aidan O’Rafferty continued his brilliant season with another mention among the best for the Brookers, the 10th time in 2023.

The skipper has won praise from opposition coaches during the year.

“He leads from the front,” Maddern said.

“He’s a great young man and has led through some really trying times this year.”

With three games left to play in the season, Maddern is hoping to see his side pick up another win or two for their efforts.

“There’s lots of auditioning for next year as well,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to further develop the game plan and give us a platform for next year.”

In other Division 2 games, Albion accounted for Sunshine by 21 points as Jacob Green booted four while Darcy McPherson was named the best player on the ground.

Meanwhile, Parkside was far too good for Wyndhamvale running out 55-point winners with Nathan Montague best afield as Lachlan Langwell booted four.