First Division - Eastern Football League
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First Division - Eastern Football League

First Division - Eastern Football League First Division - Eastern Football League

efl.org.au
01.12.2012 Views

4 THE EASTERN FOOTBALLER The Blackburn Football Club Proudly Sponsored by www.blackburnfc.com.au KILSYTH FOOTBALL & CRICKET CLUBS SPORTS & MEMORABILIA AUCTION Also appearing, Channel 9 Footy Show’s Andrew Startin appearing as Sam Newman & guests Wednesday 13 July at 7.30 pm At Lilydale International, 471 Maroondah Hwy, Lilydale Admission by ticket only - $20 – ring Mike 0412 458 551 Finger food provided. Dress Smart Casual

THE EASTERN FOOTBALLER 5 THE BACK PAGE FINALS CLOCK TICKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BY LUKE D’ANELLO TWO opposed schools of thought can occupy the minds of finals aspirants at this stage of the season – excitement at the prospect of finals football, or the application of a weekly evaluation. But, surely Donvale coach Brendan McCormack can now afford himself the luxury to think of September after his top-four bound side comprehensively defeated Croydon by 61 points on Saturday – 14.12 (96) to 4.11 (35). The victory was its fifth on end and lifts the Vales to third position on the division one ladder. In a competition that many may have viewed as a touch monotonous over the past few seasons, as a result of the dominance of the ‘big four’ – Noble Park, East Burwood, Vermont, East Ringwood – the emergence of Donvale has been welcomed. “Naturally, we set out earlier in the year to play finals footy. Each week is a step in the right direction,” McCormack said after Saturday’s success at Croydon Oval. “Our last five weeks have been fantastic. I think we’ve still got areas we can improve in.” “Everybody who has a chance to play finals wants to play finals. We just have to keep working as hard as we can and, hopefully, we’ll get there. “I think that we’ve played good footy in stages. We haven’t really put a four quarter game together. I think that’s yet to come, and once that happens, who knows what’s ahead of us?” McCormack is optimistic his side’s transformation from a mid-table team to a serious finals contender can continue to gather momentum. The Vales have Croydon (twice), Noble Park and East Ringwood on its list of victims. “After last season, we thought we were the best side outside the final four. With the direction we’re heading, with the recruiting, we wanted to play finals footy. I don’t think we’ve exceeded our expectations, but the job’s not finished yet,” McCormack said. “I guess it’s a tough competition, so you got to be on your game week in, week out. I’ve just got to keep the players up and their confidence levels up. We’ve just got to believe that what we are doing is setting us in the right direction to play finals footy. We’ve just got to keep on winning, and that’s the simple fact.” Donvale recruited ready-made senior players from the VFL this season. Chris Menzies from Springvale, though currently out injured, and Chris Barry from Werribee, add a pinch of class. The inclusions of Cameron Cramp (Tocumwal) and Damien Mattson (Ringwood) completed a bumper recruiting harvest. McCormack believes his side is just beginning to reap the rewards, pinpointing the additions as the main reason why his side has blossomed. “I think it’s the players that we recruited. We probably went out and recruited 10 or 12 players, who were not all necessarily guaranteed senior players,” he said. “But it probably gives everyone a buzz around the place. It just takes a little while for everyone to gel, and that’s what seems to have happened over the last few weeks.” Consecutive victories over Noble Park, East Ringwood and the Blues add credence to McCormack’s words. “I think (those wins) gives the club a belief that they are right up there and can match it with the best sides,” McCormack said. “I’m very confident in the playing group. I think they’re a committed bunch. I think, on and off the field, they seem to have gelled. I’m pretty confident with what we can achieve.” McCormack heaped plaudits on James O’Donnell, Hayden Cotsford and Tyson Heinrich – back to the club after a season off – for their performances this year. Full-forward Bradley O’Connor, also a new recruit, has sent through 51 goals this season to clearly lead the league goalkicking, while man mountain Ryan Power just continues to provide a nightmare for opposition brainstrusts. Jacob Anstey, Jason Casey and Brad Flower have all ran amok this season as well, while Cramp bolstered the stability of the team. But Donvale’s side can be further enhanced, with three senior players currently out injured – Menzies, Warren Williams, Warren Thomas. Some reserves players are also waiting for their time in the sun, according to the Vales’ boss. “Those fringe players are putting pressure on everyone now. We’ve got some good depth in the (reserves), so there’s a lot of pressure on everyone to perform,” McCormack said. Currently equal on points with East Burwood and Croydon, Donvale have critical appointments with Blackburn, Mitcham, the Rams and Vermont in the next month. The worst-case scenario may be two victories, given the division’s evenness. Three wins in the next month should suffice. “I don’t think anyone will take us lightly. It’s basically the theme we’re going along with, we won’t take anyone lightly as well,” McCormack said. “We’ve got a list that’s competitive with the best sides. But if we’re off for five or 10 minutes, the lesser sides can take advantage of that.” “I don’t think you can go at the flag just yet. The competition’s too hard and we just can’t afford one slip up. I think we’ve just got to keep focus on every week.”

4<br />

THE EASTERN FOOTBALLER<br />

The Blackburn <strong>Football</strong> Club<br />

Proudly Sponsored by<br />

www.blackburnfc.com.au<br />

KILSYTH FOOTBALL & CRICKET CLUBS<br />

SPORTS & MEMORABILIA AUCTION<br />

Also appearing, Channel 9 Footy Show’s<br />

Andrew Startin<br />

appearing as Sam Newman & guests<br />

Wednesday 13 July at 7.30 pm<br />

At Lilydale International, 471 Maroondah Hwy, Lilydale<br />

Admission by ticket only - $20 – ring Mike 0412 458 551<br />

Finger food provided.<br />

Dress Smart Casual

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