Outer East league: Alexandra’s fierce response after tough week
Words of wisdom helped fire a galvanised Alexandra to its biggest victory of the OEFN season after a “tumultuous week”.When it was all said and done, Alexandra’s tight-knit playing group just wanted to get out there and perform.
Just days after being slapped with a $40,000 fine and the loss of four premiership points for breaching the salary cap in 2023, the Rebels saw Saturday’s match against Belgrave as an opportunity to get on with things.
That they did, powering to a 96-point victory, 19.13 (127) to 4.7 (31).
Alexandra captain Ted Watkin led from the front, firing off seven goals while Will Stewart slotted five.
“We just spoke about it on Saturday, “ Alexandra coach Nick Wal said.
“It’s not the water outside a boat that makes it sink, it’s when the water gets inside the boat, so let’s just keep everything outside and let’s concentrate on playing footy.
“What will be, will be at the end of the year. There’s no point worrying about it now, it’s nothing we can control at all.”
Mitch Parker on the move for Alexandra. Pic: Facebook
Midfielder Mitch Parker capped a best-on-ground display with three goals as Alexandra pulled clear after halftime with 14 goals to two.
The Rebels had winners all over the park, with VAFA recruit Harry Reed, Charlie Millar, ruckman Lachlan Nankervis and wingman Tom Massey in everything.
“We’re pretty lucky in our forward line that we think we’ve always got someone who can get off the chain a bit,’’ Wal said.
“We can really stretch the opposition defence with one on ones. That was the whole thing on Saturday, trying to use the ball better.
“We had a high number of inside fifties against Healesville but they were really shallow because we just weren’t using the ball properly. And then you don’t get your forwards in an isolated position where they can be dangerous.
“But Saturday was about trying to keep our good forwards with their match ups as deep as we could and get the footy to them as quickly as we could. And they were able to mark it.
That was really good.’’
Former St Kilda defender Will Johnson marks for the Rebels.
Alexandra is 4-1 and on track to contend for the premiership again.
“We’ve had roughly the same group now for three or four years so we’re all starting to understand what we need to do,’’ Wal said.
“Our biggest loss in the last two years is 19 points. So we are competitive.’’
