LEBANON Reserve was packed to see a match-up of two sides desperate to get back on the winners list.
Both Avondale Heights and Strathmore had some big names out, but that allowed for some young guns and leaders on each side to step up.
Pace and burst out of contests was clearly a focus for Avondale Heights and this shone through the work of Mathew Cravino.
His in-and-under play resulted in numerous clearances in the first quarter, leading his side to a four-goal-to-one start to the game.
But the home side, after not playing on their own terms early, slowly started to gain more of the ball out of the middle.
Forward pressure, including tackling and smothering, was a highlight after quarter time for the Mores but without conversion in front of goal, they found it hard to take a big lead.
They trapped the ball in their forward line and tried to out-number the Heights at every contest, lifting Strathmore’s possession count.
Despite being on top around the ground, poor forward entries and conversion in front of goal kept Avondale in the game.
Bombarded with these forward entries at times, Avondale Heights’ Nathan Byrne was a rock in defence.
Byrne’s countless spoils and intercept marks were a highlight, helping his side catapult forward quickly.
But Strathmore’s defence, where winning the ground ball and using pace off half back was the key to its success, caused Heights to go goalless second quarter.
Josh Helliwell led the way on this front.
His ball-use on both sides of his body coming out of defence added some class to a very congested game.
The second half began with some quick goals for Avondale Heights - who pounced on each window of opportunity and converted.
Strathmore, though, didn’t stray from its tough game style and through immense forward pressure from Shane ‘Nugget’ Foulds, the hosts were able to still maintain a strong three-goal lead throughout the third.
At the contest Strathmore’s advantage was huge and was plus-22 at stoppages.
The locals on the hill grew frustrated by inaccuracy and a lack intensity around goal, but crowd favourite James ‘Mad Dog’ Dwyer came to fore when it mattered.
Dwyer became a real presence on the lead, taking some big contested marks on his way to four majors for the day.
His impact steadied the Strathmore ship.
Big Matthew Darby was leading by example with his contested marking and hard work up and back all day, while the late inclusion of two-time VFL premiership forward Dylan Conway also added some much-needed extra potency up forward for the visitors.
But Avondale’s efforts were shut down in the last by the clearance work and overall fitness of Strathmore.
Building on its tackling pressure the longer the game went, Strathmore was able to finish with a five-goal-to-two last quarter on its way to a commanding 42-point victory.
STRATHMORE 14.11-95
Goal Kickers: J. Dwyer 4, L. Baniowski 2, T. Condon 2, A. Iacobucci, S. Foulds, A. Horne, S. O’Loughlin, D. O’Leary, T. Mitchem
Best Players: J. Dwyer, N. O’Brien, T. Mitchem, A. Horne, L. Jarrad, A. Iacobucci
AVONDALE HEIGHTS 8.5-53
Goal Kickers: D. Conway 4, J. Morris 2, D. Armfield, S. Clouston
Best Players: N. Byrne, L. Edwards, M. Darby, M. Cravino, F. MuscarÃ, J. Morris
