Tara Murray
The bye couldn’t have come at a better time for Burnside Heights in Essendon District Football League division 2.
Having evened the ledger at 2-2 after starting the season with two losses, the Bears are starting to gain momentum.
Bears president Justin Peagram said they were happy with the first month of the season.
“It’s not bad actually, with all the injuries we have copped,” he said.
“We were hoping to be 3-1, but will take 2-2 at the end of the day. We had four or five out in round one and lost a few in round two.
“We had a good look at Oak Park and we pushed them until half way through the third quarter, we were three goals up when Josh [Covelli] went off.”
Despite having won their last two games, including beating East Sunbury for the first time since 2014 and for the first time at John McMahon Reserve, Peagram said the break had come at the perfect time.
He said there was always going to be some unknown coming back into the season, after having last year off due to COVID-19.
“It was unknown how they would respond with their bodies and fitness,” he said.
“We’ve had three practice matches plus four rounds, there are some tired bodies.”
Peagram said they would have four or five senior players in the mix to return for the senior side this week and even more for the reserves team.
He said they would have nearly a full squad to choose from.
One player who won’t be available is 2019 best and fairest winner Adam Sullivan, who injured himself in a practice match, and is ruled out for the year.
The Bears this week face Northern Saints as they look to move into the top four. Peagram said their season aim was clear.
“The first thing we want to tick off is finals and then reassess,” he said. “Aidan made it clear to the boys.
“We need to make finals. The top two teams have been good and then there’s middle pack of teams and you have to get enough wins against them to get ladder position.
Meanwhile, the Bears women’s sides are both winless after four rounds.
Peagram said they knew this year was going to be a development year and they were on track despite what the scoreboard said.
“It’s a bit of a changing of the guard,” he said.
“Kayla Ravanello is about to have a baby and has been our main forward. Maria Afuhaamango is pregnant and was our main midfielder. “They won our best and fairest and finished runners-up.
“The good thing for the club is that the club has retained a lot of under-18 players from a couple of years ago.
“About 10 girls are going through the senior side. We’ve got over 50 players in the women’s program.”
