By Nick Creely
Everything is starting to click well and truly into place down at Keysborough, with the second placed Burras surging into premiership favouritism after a stunning month of football.
After a disappointing 2016 season – in which the Burras finished in the bottom four with a 7-11 record – they have sprung to life, and are now eyeing off their first flag since 1976.
Burras coach Matt Ferguson said that the turnaround of his proud club has come down to building a list that competes no matter the circumstances.
“We’re an extremely close group on and off field, and I guess getting a lot of guys back to the club has really helped this year, and some really handy recruits have helped too,” he said.
“Last year we got smashed with injury, and we have this year as well, but the difference probably is the depth to cover those guys.
“One big difference too is the introduction of line coaches – it has really added to the improvement of our players.”
Hot on the heels of the dominant Chelsea Heights Football Club – which sits atop the Division 2 ladder – the players simply can’t wait to test themselves against the Dees on 8 July.
“I think Chelsea Heights obviously deserve the mantle as premiership favourites – we think we’re in a bunch of teams that can compete for the flag, but until we beat Chelsea Heights we can’t lay claim to that tag,” he said.
“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t eye off the Round 13 clash with Chelsea Heights – it’s in our minds and we are really looking forward to that challenge.
“In this comp, however, if you’re 5 per cent off against any team you’re in trouble.”
Back in Round 2, despite dominating the majority of their home clash against the Dees, they lost by 28-points.
In this particular match, the Burras didn’t have their kicking boots on, scoring 6.11 to 11.9.
And Ferguson said that the learnings from that match have improved how his side moves the football, its ability to work harder in the midfield and, more importantly, turning effort into reward in attack.
“I think we’ve definitely had a lot more time together and we probably have changed the way we played a bit, and there was a lot of positives out of that day, in terms of the stat sheet.
“Chelsea Heights are so efficient with their entries up forward so that’s a real focus for us and something we’ve learnt from,” he said.
“Our starts to games have been great – we won eight of our first 10 first quarters and come out really strongly, and that means the opposition chases your tail when you can get an early five-goal lead.
“Our tackling has also been exceptional this year – we’re regularly getting 80 or more tackles each week and that’s been a real focus.
“But the biggest improvement in our game has probably been our two-way running from our mids – it’s really benefiting us and our forwards.”
One of the great features of the Burras in 2017 has been the return of former AFL player and NFL punter, Chris Bryan.
The 35-year-old, who played the majority of his 46 game AFL career in the ruck for Carlton and Collingwood, is dominating in a ruck-forward role at his junior club becoming an unstoppable presence around the ground.
“He is clearly the best player in the competition, no doubt about it,” Ferguson declared.
“Interestingly, Chris is kicking more goals when it’s coinciding with him spending more time in the ruck – I think that’s helped his game overall because he’s been able to get more clear around the ground – he is getting high 20 possessions and a lot of goals and hit-outs.”
Add star players Tim Werner, Ryan Goodes, Geoff Humphrey, Jack Cole, Riet Pal and Karl Schoenmaekers to the mix and it’s little wonder the Boroughs are flying.
And maybe 2017 is finally the year they hold the cup aloft in premiership glory.
