Pacco Justifies Contender Status Against Premiers
All eyes were on Clifton Park on Saturday with an under-manned Aberfeldie taking on a fresh Pascoe Vale side that was close to full strength, missing only Daniel Harris and Eamonn Ogden from its best 22.
In what was an enthralling contest, the Panthers jumped out to a good start to lead by four goals at quarter time before the defending champs kicked into gear.
New Pacco recruits Patrick Veszpremi and Matthew Watson patrolled the forward line and each kicked two goals for the day, while Lachie Hansen kicked one goal in his Panthers debut.
But the class of Aberfeldie rose to the top in crunch time, with Kyle Reimers and Sam Cattapan slotting late majors in the final term.
Final Score – Aberfeldie 12.9-81 def. Pascoe Vale 11.13-79
Glenroy Proves Competitive In First Premier Division Hit-Out
The Roys did themselves proud in their first game in the top division since 2009, albeit without getting the four points.
As predicted, Saturday’s clash against West Coburg at Sewell Reserve went down to the wire, with ace recruit Daniel Archer snagging three majors to help get the visitors over the line by eight points.
The Roys led by 21 points at half time after a dominant six-goal opening term, but allowed the Burgers back into the contest in the third.
In the end Digby Morrell’s men won the arm wrestle with recruits Archer, Omar Saad, Tom Baravi and Muhammad Saad all getting on the goal-sheet.
Glenroy premiership players Matt Walker, Josh Trembearth and Josh Ksiazek all played well for the Roys.
Final Score – Glenroy 9.11-65 def. by West Coburg 11.7-73
Douttas Demise On The Cards After Shocking Loss
Things aren’t going well down at Nipper Jordan Oval.
After a horrible summer where many senior players walked (the latest being premiership captain Shylo Smith, who filed a transfer for St Albans last week), their first showing of Season 2018 was an ominous sign that relegation back to Essendon Ford Division 1 is well and truly on the cards.
Douttas only mustered nine goals for the day at Monk Oval while allowing Maribyrnong Park to pile on a whopping 30.
The margin reached three figures in the third term and blew out to 135 by the final siren.
Marby was missing playing coach Robbie Castello and ruckman Chris Prowse, who were both named to play on Friday, but the Lions still signalled their intent as a contender again in 2018 with the win.
Douttas must respond at home to Glenroy this weekend.
Final Score – Maribyrnong Park 30.17-197 def. Essendon Doutta Stars 9.8-62
Saints, Thunder Set An Exciting Tone For Division 2
In Round 4, when East Sunbury hosts the Northern Saints, expect one of the most exciting games of Division 2 footy ever seen.
Both sides are known for their attacking flare and put it on full display in their respective Round 1 outings on Saturday.
The Northern Saints ran all over Roxburgh Park at Charles Mutton Reserve with 24 goals for the day, including six each for Khodr Taleb and Rocky Ferraro.
Ferarro’s fellow returning 2013 premiership teammate, Tamer Abdallah, was also impressive in his return game for the Saints, kicking two.
The Magpies were without their own returning superstar forward, Luke Capuano, who is currently serving a suspension from 2017.
Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Results – Round 1
Fog Lifts For Huge Round 1 Clash, Beats Flag Favourite
We billed this game as a potential grand final preview and it certainly did not disappoint.
It was a tight arm wrestle all day long at what’s left of Ormond Park with Moonee Valley staying in touch with Coburg Districts in a low-scoring affair.
The Valley trailed at both half time and three-quarter time before steadying in the final term with three goals to the Lions’ one to scrape home by a single point.
It was precisely the start new Fog coach Shanon Carroll was hoping for.
Final Score – Moonee Valley 9.13-67 def. Coburg Districts 9.12-66
EDFL Women’s Contenders Emerge In First Outings
Being such a new competition, we didn’t quite know what to expect across the six games of EDFL Women’s that were played in Round 1.
With three more grading rounds to come before the League decides if two divisions are required, we’re starting to get an idea of who the contenders are.
We had the odd surprise or two, with the newly-merged Avondale Heights/Taylors Lakes side just sneaking home away to Keilor Park in a thriller on Saturday, while both Pascoe Vale and Westmeadows scored upsets in their games.
Keilor set an early benchmark back on Good Friday against Strathmore, while both Burnside Heights and the Sunbury Kangaroos made early statements in their games.
We’ll get our first look at Craigieburn on Sunday against Avondale Heights/Taylors Lakes.
EDFL Women’s Results – Round 1
