One of the most salivating matchups of Round 2 in Premier Division was without a doubt Keilor and Pascoe Vale, and it didn’t disappoint!
Keilor have been faultless to start 2023, downing Strathmore by 73 points and Airport West by 108. The Panthers looked impressive against Aberfeldie in their 24-point win which followed a fruitful off season in the list management space.
There was an even contribution across the board in the 27-goal game with 10 multiple goal scorers in total.
In the end, accuracy for the Blues cost them a greater lead, while some conversions on the Panthers misses could have very well seen them win the game.
Earmarked as a team in the relegation battle, Essendon Doutta Stars got their first win for 2023 against Airport West, winning by 11 points at Nipper Jordan Oval.
Following a heavy defeat at the hands of a rampant Strathmore outfit in Round 1, Barry Prendergast rallied his troops who’ll need to capitalise on their winnable fixtures which could have implications later in the season.
An even more important win for Douttas due to the fact that they probably won’t see much of Maison Goodman throughout the season who’ll likely be on Coates Talent League duties. He was a vital cog in their win, booting three goals along with two from Declan Tully and Giacomo Thomas.
They’ll be looking at their matchup with Avondale Heights on Saturday as another one of those winnable games they’ll be looking to bank early. You can catch that action as the EDFL Match of the Day!
A historic EDFL clash between the league’s two newest sides took place on Saturday as Deer Park hosted St Albans.
The weather gods were shining on John McLeod Reserve as the Lions roared to a 35-point victory over the Saints on the back of a seven-goal final quarter.
St Albans were up by four points at three quarter time and took it to Deer Park all day, but were ultimately outrun.
Nine Lions players hit the scoreboard, while for the Saints, Josh Carter kicked three and was their glue in each third of the ground at various points of the game, while Ade Akintola was instrumental in the ruck.
There were two Rookie Me Division One games played on ANZAC Day along with the Aberfeldie and Avondale Heights Premier Division clash as Glenroy hosted West Coburg, and Tullamarine traveled to Westmeadows.
It was a perfect day for spectators but admittedly a little warm for the players, as West Coburg dished plenty of heat to Glenroy on their way to a 121-point victory.
Westmeadows were valiant and worked their way back into the contest at half time, before the experience of Tullamarine rose to the top and ran the game out with a bit more dash than the young Tigers side.
Phil Smith and his bleached hair seemed to be everywhere for the Demons as they strode out to a 36-point victory, with Stephen McCallum booting four goals after returning from overseas, while Shaun O’Grady provided an option forward for Ash Flavel with three goals.
It was a Kangaroo battle at JP Fawkner Reserve as premiership fancies ousted Sunbury Kangaroos by just two points, the latters second loss with a total margin of five points.
It was neck and neck the whole way through as Oak Park would be ruing their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 10.17.
Sunbury Kangaroos made waves with their acquisition of former AFL player Rhys Magin moving across from Kyneton in the off season as he kicked four goals, but they fell just short in the end.
While there seems to be no easy games in Division Two, they’ll be tested against another finals side from 2022 in Coburg Districts.
There were plaudits all-round for Burnside Heights as their first home game at Tenterfield Drive since its resurfacing was played under lights against Coburg Districts on ANZAC Eve.
“Ayers Rock” is no more and there was no wind to speak of (don’t get used to it) on a beautiful Monday night which was brilliantly hosted by the Bears, with a wonderful tribute to the ANZACs, and an expectedly strong canteen.
On field, it was a game of ebbs and flows as Coburg Districts managed to win by 10 points following a six-goal third quarter.
Cole Harvey’s men rallied to pile five goals back on in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
We can expect this match up to feature in Division Two should all things go as planned for these two sides, despite both teams winning and losing one of their two games, they’ve both shown plenty of positive signs early.
Moonee Valley were buoyed by a strong win over Westmeadows in Round 1, but both sides have experienced a reversal in fortunes as Moonee Valley went down to Aberfeldie by 55 points, and Westmeadows beat Marby by 22 points.
Courtney Munn kicked three for the Tigers who trailed at all breaks, before piling on four goals in the final quarter to run out comfortable victors.
The Fog managed just two goals as Aberfeldie were able to put them to the sword and leave the result without doubt.
EDFL Team of the Year full forward Alisa Magri has made a strong start to her 2023 campaign, booting 10 goals in their 203-point onslaught against Sunbury Kangaroos.
Keeping in mind the off season struggles for the Kangaroos, Magri is well on her way to backing up her 42 goals in 2022 as her Jets have started the season with a bang.
