Burnside Heights had arguably its best ever win against Coburg Districts in their Essendon District Football League division 2 clash on Saturday.
While the Bears have had some important wins – like their first ever victory – Saturday’s against the Lions is the club’s first against quality opposition.
The win not only showed that the Bears can beat some of those better teams, it also showed the belief within the playing group.
Bears’ president Justin Peagram said the club was thrilled with the result.
“They’ve been a work in progress,” he said of the side. “They stood up and showed what we have got.
“There’s a lot of new players at the club and that takes time to get the game plan going.
“They stuck to that all day and it was our best win.”
The Bears had to do it the hard way, having trailed all day.
They kicked eight goals to two in the final quarter to seal the 19.8 (122)-14.13 (97) win.
Peagram said in previous years they wouldn’t have been able to come from behind to get the points.
“Coburg was still in front 10 minutes into the last quarter,” he said.
“We kicked four goals to hit the front … once we got our nose in front we got on a roll.
“To get the points is a proud moment.”
Josh Covelli kicked five goals for the Bears, while Vincent Angelone and Anthony Fawcus kicked four goals each.
Peagram said while it was a team effort to get the win, it was pleasing to see some of the guys like Michael Shailer and Angelone, who have been at the club since the start, have solid games.
The win is the side’s first in 13 attempts against Coburg Districts.
Peagram said a win like that will help reinforce the belief that coach Aidan Scott is trying to drill into the boys.
“Aidan has been really strong with driving that message,” he said.
“All our other games this season we’ve played well for two and half to three quarters, and were let down in one quarter. It finally all came together.”
The challenge now for the Bears is to carry that form into this week’s game with Roxburgh Park. The Magpies are coming off a good win, while the Bears have never won two matches in a row.
“They are always a tough ask,” Peagram said.
“We hit the front last year against them, but couldn’t hold on. We want to show the league that the win wasn’t a flash in the pan.
“Aidan made it clear he wanted to play finals this year and we have to win these sort of matches.”
