It was a moment to remember on Saturday as Burnside Heights returned to the Essendon District Football League division 2 winners’ list for the first time since 2015.
Wins have been few and far between for the Bears, who before Saturday had won just three matches since fielding a senior team in 2014.
Bears president Justin Peagram was a relieved man on Sunday.
“It’s reward for all the hard work and effort that has been put in, especially by Aidan Stott and the rest of the coaching group.
“The players have put in a lot of hard work too. Hopefully they believe they can do it now.”
Peagram said they had been building towards Saturday’s win.
They lost after the siren to East Sunbury in round one, and besides one quarter in the rest of their matches they had been competitive.
On Saturday against Keilor Park it was the battle of the win-less sides. The Bears started the better of the two and they maintained the momentum all day. In the end the Bears won easily, 11.9 (75)-8.9 (57).
Peagram said they had focused on self-belief heading into the game.
“We controlled the game for four quarters,” he said. “Credit to Keilor Park, they fought it out to the end, kicking a couple of late goals.
“The work put in by the boys just clicked and they believed they could do it.
“I was really happy they knew the words to the song after the game.”
Josh Covelli kicked four goals for the Bears, while Anthony Fawcus and Stephen Kenrick kicked three goals apiece. Brett Thomas was named the best for the Devils.
Peagram said it was a team effort across the ground and he was pleased with the performances of some of the younger players such as Ashley Neal, Jack Agius and Jordan Defilippis.
“Opposition sides have actually said we can match it with them. Hopefully we get confidence out of Saturday that we can do it.”
In premier division, Keilor let slip a win against Maribyrnong Park. The Blues led for most of the day, but gave up the lead late, losing 14.16 (100)-13.9 (87).
In division 1, Hillside lost its first game of the season, going down to Westmeadows.
The Sharks started well but were overrun by the Tigers, who won 16.10 (106)-13.10 (88). Taylors Lakes won its third game of the season, with a 39-point win against East Keilor.
