By Parker McKenzie
It’s been a long time between wins for the Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club, but after going win-less 2022 season, the club is back in the winner’s circle.
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Netball Club defeated Knox 78 to 74 in the seniors and 84 to 25 in the reserves, marking the first time both teams won during the same round in 1344 days.
UFTGFC Coach Mark Fisher, who took over the team at the start of the season, said despite trying conditions, it was a pleasing result.
“They put it all together so that was really pleasing in the first quarter and attacked well, but defended even better and got some good score off the defensive efforts,” he said.
“It was great because they’re only young, so they sort of drop or can drop away at times and hopefully that lets them know they can get that out of the system.”
He said he was impressed with the resilience of his young team, who hung in despite having no bench late in the game.
“Now they know that if they fight and they do the right things, they can win games of footy,” he said.
“The boys played as good footy as I’ve seen play since I took over, which was the end of last year at the start of preseason.”
The club was relegated from Division 1 last season, and In round one lost heavily against a strong Heathmont Jets side 126 to 27.
Fisher after the u19s won last week, all three teams have had a win and it is only round two.
“At the minute we’re competitive, we were ordinary round one against Heathmont,” he said.
“For us to bounce back after a 100-point loss and win the next week, you know you are going to be okay.”
