Strathmore 17.7-109 def. Aberfeldie 8.12-60
IT was the breakout game that Strathmore fans had been waiting for and the home side jumped out of the gate firing at Lebanon Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
A 30-point lead had the Mores in a perfect position to go on and win, but the always-dominant Aberfeldie refused to lay down, trailing by only one point at the major break.
It was all Strathmore from there, who eventually ran away 49-point winners.
Alex Grima was the standout for Strathmore, booting six goals, while the usual suspects in Jaryd Cachia, Todd Grima and Adam Iacobucci were outstanding for the home side, in what was a crucial win leading into the half-way point of the season.
Kyle Reimers kicked four majors for Aberfeldie, while captain Luke Davis, and the elite Josh Toy tried hard all day.
Abers will look to bounce back this week against West Coburg at home, while Strathmore takes on Pascoe Vale in back-to-back home games at Lebanon Reserve.
Greenvale def. Avondale Heights 26.11.167 – 6.10.46
It all went to script for Paul Chapman’s men at Section Road on Saturday, where a 10-goal quarter time lead helped set up an easy win for the in-form Jets.
It ended a tough week for Avondale Heights, who a day earlier was left without a coach, following the unexpected departure of Rick Horwood.
Addam Maric continued his fantastic season for the Jets, booting five goals and cementing his place as one of the standout performers in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
Josh Smith was fantastic for Greenvale in his best-on-ground performance that included two majors.
Cam Wood was again the standout for Avondale Heights while Patty Rose was the only multiple goal-scorer, slotting two.
Mat Cravino stood tall for Avondale as always, but it wasn’t enough to bring the visitors within striking distance of the Jets.
It doesn’t get any easier for Avondale, who will face Keilor at home, while at opposite ends of the scale, Greenvale travel up Mickleham Road to take on the struggling Craigieburn.
Pascoe Vale 11.13-79 def. by Keilor 14.18-102
It was a must-win game for Keilor away from home against a Pascoe Vale side who seemed ready to turn some heads in Season 2017, and it didn’t start great for the reigning premiers.
A 25-point quarter time lead to the Panthers had some Blues worried, but it wasn’t to last long, as the home side only managed three behinds in the second quarter and trailed by two points at the main break.
It was head-to-head for the entire second half, but the class of Keilor showed and they managed an important 23-point win on the road.
Dean Galea continued his elite season, kicking six majors and proving his place as one of the most dangerous forwards in the EDFL.
Andrew Browne, Kane Barbuto and David Gourdis were huge in the win, continuing their fantastic starts to Season 2017.
Kyle Hardingham was good as always, kicking three goals, while Craig Anderson continued to play a big role for the Panthers in his first season at the club.
West Coburg 12.10-82 def. by Essendon Doutta Stars 20.17-137
If you thought that the season was spiralling downward for Essendon Doutta Stars, by quarter time of this game, your mind was changed.
A 74-point quarter time lead set up the home team in what was a must-win for the undermanned Stars.
West Coburg kept the away side scoreless in the second term, bringing the margin back to just 29 points, but in a back-and-forth affair it was Stars who were stronger in the second half, running away comfortably.
Alex Marklew continued to be a major threat for defenders, kicking six goals, while Jedd Clothier played his best game of 2017 in a best-on-ground performance for Essendon Doutta Stars.
Arguably the Stars best player so-far this season, Mitch Jensen was again a standout, alongside Pat Veszpremi and Jamie Allan.
It’s no surprise that Jack Yelland again was one of the best for the Burgers, while Michael Tang kicked four goals for the home side.
Maribyrnong Park 23.17-155 def. Craigieburn 6.3-39
Although the margin was blown-out over 100 points, we saw promising signs for Craigieburn in this game against the powerhouse Maribyrnong Park.
The Eagles were competitive until quarter time, trailing by a mere seven points at the first change, but it was all Marby from that point on.
An impressive spread of goal-kickers for the home side showed their dominance and is a worrying sign for coaches across the division.
Charles Van Der Byl was the dominant forward, kicking four goals, while Robbie Ball continued his blistering season slotting three majors in a best-on-ground effort.
Jake Piggot and Ricky Zwagerman were again amongst the best for the Eagles who are struggling to compete in their first season back in the top tier.
Glenn Robertson was the only major goal-scorer for the Eagles, managing two.
Maribyrnong Park will now travel to Nipper Jordan Oval to take on the in-form Essendon Doutta Stars, while Craigieburn will enjoy being back on home turf against Greenvale.
