Beaconsfield is going from strength to strength in the AFL Outer East’s Premier Division, undefeated through six games and with a percentage pushing 300.
The Eagles look ominous.
Their latest scalp came in the form of Upwey-Tecoma last Saturday, as they slogged their way to an 11.11 (77) to 3.3 (21) victory at Holm Park.
Eagles coach Mick Fogarty lauded his side’s contested work, something he believes the soggy conditions demanded.
“You’ve got to play in all conditions, so it’s really important that we adapt to them, we could get this in finals,” he said.
“I think that we adapted quite well, and the conditions demanded the ball was gonna be on the ground, and demanded hard bodies.
"So I was rapt with our pressure around the contest and our ability to win ball at stoppage.
“We won the clearances quite convincingly, and the stats showed that. We were able to get it forward and finish our work, which was good.”
Finishing their work paved the way for Beaconsfield’s 2.2 (14) to 0.1 (1) quarter-time lead, which came despite a flurry of Upwey possession in its forward half.
The Eagles’ defence stood tall, proving largely impenetrable, and they were damaging when given chances in attack.
The second quarter was a low-scoring affair, producing just two goals as Beacy marginally extended their lead to 15 points.
Upwey scored its first goal 17 minutes into the second term, and almost had two in a matter of minutes following a quick clearance, but couldn’t capitalise.
The ball found its way to the other end, and Devon Smith slotted a crucial goal to keep the visitors at arm’s length.
From there, the Eagles were never in doubt.
Upwey was held scoreless in the third as Beacy piled on the pain, scoring 28 unanswered points, including two goals in the clutches of three-quarter time from Jafar Ocaa.
Ocaa’s marking was a feature for the clash, providing a strong target forward despite the unfavourable conditions, and finishing with a game-high three goals.
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Defensive 50 turnovers in the last quarter resulted in goals to the Eagles’ Matt Wilson and Tylah Stokoe, and were telling of a troubling day for Upwey, as Beaconsfield cruised to its eventual 56-point triumph.
Wilson was one of the players to earn praise from Fogarty, who was especially impressed with his “lesser lights”.
“Devon Smith and Matt Wilson were pretty good today. The usuals in ‘Whitey’ (Brandon White) and Nick Battle were outstanding, and they’ve been outstanding all year. But just some of our lesser lights (stood out),” he said.
“Jakey Stuart had his first game, and young Declan Curran from Under 19’s played his first senior game, so I was really wrapped with their performances.”
Fogarty is also keeping a lid on his side’s hot form, especially with the ever-present threat of lockdown derailing the season.
“We haven’t done anything for seven years, we don’t know what’s gonna happen with COVID, we could be locked down again in four weeks time,” he said.
“Each game we play is a grand final for us.”
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