By TOBIE CHAPMAN
SPURRED on by seven goals from Kyle Reimers, Aberfeldie defeated Greenvale by 61 points in a Grand Final rematch at Section Road.
In doing so, they delivered a strong message to their strongest premiership contender in Keilor ahead of their clash in two weeks.
For Greenvale, it caps off a disappointing month. Having entered May as arguable flag favourites, they’ve now lost three games in a row.
In cold and wet conditions Aberfeldie showed their class, the game all but over halfway through the second term.
The damage was done early as they kicked six goals to two in a frenetic opening term.
They weren’t slowed down by the slippery, muddy conditions and managed to pinpoint passes by foot. Greenvale dominated much of the possession early but the Abers back flank was impenetrable.
Soon enough the Abers midfield began to take control and they were incisive with their delivery to their forwards.
The Jets were unable to control Kyle Reimers who rarely left the goal square except to lead towards his midfielders.
He proved too strong and too quick for the Greenvale defence, requiring only the slightest amount of separation before breaking free.
Zach Hislop and Mark Lynch often looked a level above, defying the conditions to showcase their skills.
Fabian Deluca’s influence was mostly nullified despite his advantage in the ruck, but it was not a day for big men to play a big role.
Greenvale’s defensive efforts were solid for much of the day, but were let down by a lack of composure and class going forward. Too often they kicked long only to find an Aberfeldie defender, and were hurt on the counter attack.
Even the reliable likes of Stephen Brewer and Matthew Vasilevski were let down by their foot skills forward of centre.
It also meant that key forward Trent Shinners had no influence on the game, leaving the Aberfeldie defence an easy task.
Their forays forward were so uninspiring that they had kicked only three goals by three-quarter time, three majors late in the last term flattering them.
Adding further misery to the day was a nasty head knock to Chris Farchione early in the day, and he was unable to take any further part in the game.
He was not the only player to end up sore, the conditions resulting in a number of heavy knocks, including an early exit for Aberfeldie skipper Josh Cubillo.
Nick Parthenopoulos was a shining light for Greenvale, their only multiple goalkicker for the day in his first senior game of the year.
GREENVALE | 6.7-43
Goal Kickers: N. Parthenopoulos 2, F. Caruso, N. Caruso, J. Hemala, N. Lower
Best Players: D. Trifunovic, R. Townsend, N. Parthenopoulos, F. Deluca, C. Farchione, N. Caruso
ABERFELDIE | 15.14-104
Goal Kickers: K. Reimers 7, L. Blackwell 2, G. Phillips, S. Cattapan, Z. Hislop, H. Wade, J. Binns, A. Grigg
Best Players: R. Allan, K. Reimers, L. Blackwell, J. Craven, J. Laurie, Z. Hislop
