By Tara Murray
Burnside Heights isn’t content to settle with just one finals win in Essendon District Football League division 2.
Playing finals for the first time, the Bears’ new experience ended on a winning note, beating Coburg Districts 16-7 (103)-8.15 (63) on Saturday.
The result was an exciting one for the club, according to president Justin Peagram.
“We’re all pretty excited,” he said.
“[Coach] Aiden [Stott] was vocal during the week that we weren’t just there to be making up the numbers.
“We’ve won a final now, but it isn’t a grand final. We focus on next week now.
“There’s a strong belief in the group.”
Peagram said the wide space of Greenvale Recreation Reserve suited the side’s game plan, while it didn’t help Coburg.
He said it allowed his side the space to execute well and then kick to key targets, led by division goalkicking winner Josh Covelli.
He said they set the win up in the first quarter but it wasn’t until the last quarter that they were able to start celebrating.
“There was a four-to-five goal breeze to one end,” he said.
“We held them to two goals [in the first quarter] and we kicked two goals ourselves.
“We got to five goals up in the second quarter, before they kicked a couple late through silly play.
“The third quarter we rallied late to keep our noses in front and we were confident it would happen from there.
“The flood gates then opened.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Coburg Districts vs Burnside Heights
Covelli kicked six goals and was the star up forward for the Bears.
Peagram said if Covelli or Anthony Fawcus didn’t get the ball up there, other players had stepped up.
Others to play well were Jordan Hughes and Adam Sullivan in the middle, Kristian Rocci in a shutdown role on the wing and ruckman Michael Wever, who was returning from injury, who gave them first use of the ball.
The Bears will face Moonee Valley in the preliminary final on Saturday at Coburg City Oval.
Moonee Valley lost its semi-final to the Sunbury Kangaroos, 17.7 (109)-11.11 (77).
The winner will play the undefeated Sunbury Kangaroos the following Saturday in the grand final at Windy Hill.
Burnside Heights and Fog are 1-1 in their meetings this season, with Moonee Valley winning the most recent by 11 points in a low scoring affair.
Peagram said they would take some confidence into this week knowing they had beaten the Fog during the year. He said they had to make sure they were in the right mindset, to take it one step further and into a grand final.
In division 1, Hillside finished off its season on a winning note, beating finals-bound Tullamarine 12.5 (77)-9.14 (68).
The match was coach Steve Burns’ last in charge.
The Sharks finished the season in fifth.
