Tara Murray
Burnside Heights’ season and the coaching tenure of Aidan Stott came to an end in the opening week of Essendon District Football League division 2 finals.
The Bears, who stunned many by making finals this season, finished the season with their heads held high as they pushed Coburg Districts on Sunday.
The Lions did enough to hold on, winning 12.11 (83)-10.8 (68).
Bears president Justin Peagram said they were proud of the season they had this year.
“We made finals and I don’t think anyone put us in the top four,” he said.
“To make finals was a really good achievement with nine kids under 22.”
Peagram said they also knew that depth would be their issue this season and competing with the top couple of sides, but they made the most of it to give other players opportunities.
On Sunday, the Bears limped over the line against the Lions.
The Lions lead at every break, but the Bears never let them truly kick away. As they have all season the Bears finished strongly winning the last quarter.
Peagram admits that that ground didn’t suit them and let them get their running style of game going.
The side was far from full strength as well.
“No excuses, Coburg Districts played a strong game of football,” Peagram said.
“We had Jordan Hughes kick six goals, but he had three broken ribs so we didn’t play him in the middle.
“Anthony Fawcus shouldn’t have played with a back injury and Ferdinando Petrarca played with a broken hand.
“We had another three who would have been unable to play next week, if we had have won. Liam [Mercieca] struggled in the second half, but still rucked all day.”
Peagram said they were really proud of the playing group and this season would hold them in good stead for next year.
He said they would look to add another six to eight players to add a bit more depth to the side, while some players who had this year off had already said they would be back next year.
A number of the club’s young guns have already re-signed as well.
Peagram said being back at their home ground after not being able to play there this year would also help them.
On Monday morning, Peagram announced on social media that coach Aidan Stott had made the decision to step down as coach after nearly seven years.
“Aidan advised that the time is right for him to step aside so he can refocus his energies on his family and have a mental break from footy and enjoy life,” Peagram said in the post.
“Aidan took over as our senior coach midway through the 2016 and immediately had an impact in improving both the culture of our senior team but also improving the club’s fortunes with both recruiting and success.
“Over the next few years our senior group became stronger, won more games and became respected within the EDFL community.
“Aidan always said that he wanted to leave the club in a better position than he found it and he has done that plus more.”
