Beaconsfield’s stranglehold on a top-three position in the Eastern Division 1 competition has been weakened following a surprise 10.8(68) to 9.8(62) defeat to lowly Bayswater.
A tight tussle for most of the afternoon, Beaconsfield threatened at times to break away from Bayswater but was never able to generate sustained momentum, leading by just seven points at the final change.
Bayswater kicked two of the first three goals in the last quarter, with Beaconsfield forward Charlie Muley kicking an important stabiliser to keep the pressure on a side which had just one win coming into the game.
But Bayswater, kicking to the scoring end, kicked back-to-back goals at the 16-minute-mark to extend the margin to two kicks.
The two majors, both from distance and following marks inside 50, were emblematic of the visitors’ ability to win the big moments against a Beaconsfield outfit which struggled to get its usually fluid ball movement going and to connect with the efficiency that has lifted it into premiership contention this season.
After Bayswater had the running and locked it in their forward end for an extended period midway through the quarter, Beaconsfield got the territory for most of stoppage time, but struggled to find space or effectively penetrate Bayswater’s relentless defence.
Forward thrusts were intercepted or spoiled, and time was closed down by swarming tacklers.
Patrick Ward eventually broke through for a crumbing goal to give the Eagles a chance to equalise late.
While Beaconsfield won the subsequent centre clearance, and largely locked it in the forward half, it struggled to find marks – or possessions – inside 50 in the dying stages.
Jake Aarts sent the ball to the teeth of goals one final time with the siren sounding before a Beaconsfield player could attempt a contested mark.
Youngster Ethan Winterton had a breakthrough game at senior level, while Finn Devine continued his fine season in defence.
It’s an inopportune time for the Eagles to suffer a loss, with the 6-1 Park Orchards on the horizon in their next game, following the King’s Birthday long weekend league-wide bye.
The match while provide an effective measurement for where Beaconsfield sit and how close to the best they are, but a second consecutive loss would likely put them equal on points with fourth-placed Boronia and open up a gulf between themselves and the top two.
EASTERN DIVISION 1
BEACONSFIELD 3.1 5.5 7.7 9.8(62)
BAYSWATER 2.2 5.3 6.6 10.8(68)
Beaconsfield Goals: Myles Currie 2, Marley Appleyard, Hayden Brough, Charlie Muley, Taelor Reyment, Devon Smith, Travis Stewart, Patrick Ward. Best: Ethan Winterton, Jack Docherty, Finn Devine, Ethan Harris, Tylah Stokoe, Connor Mouat.
Bayswater Goals: Paul Haasbroek 2, Christian Poe 2, James Hepburn, Matthew Higgins, Harrison Law, Benjamin Mantel, Ben Travers, Josh Treeby. Best: Christian Poe, Tim Castricum, Paul Haasbroek, Jake Lewis, James Hepburn, Matthew Higgins.
Results R8: South Belgrave 19.18 132 v Mooroolbark 6.3 39, Montrose 7.9 51 v North Ringwood 13.6 84, Boronia 21.15 141 v Norwood 7.7 49
Ladder: South Belgrave 28, Park Orchards 24, Beaconsfield 20, Boronia 16, Montrose 12, North Ringwood 12, Mooroolbark 8, Bayswater 0, Norwood 0
R9 Fixture – Saturday 14 June: North Ringwood v Bayswater, Park Orchards v Beaconsfield, Mooroolbark v Boronia, Montrose v South Belgrave
