EDFL 2018: East Sunbury advances to Division 2 preliminary final with win over Moonee Valley

EAST Sunbury enjoyed a historic day on Saturday as it claimed its first finals victory in the Essendon District Football League’s senior ranks.

East Sunbury's Shane Lindsay is tackled by Moonee Valley's Stuart Aberdein. Picture: Josie Hayden

EAST Sunbury enjoyed a historic day on Saturday as it claimed its first finals victory in the Essendon District Football League’s senior ranks.

The sixth-year club knocked off Moonee Valley by 26 points in the Division 2 elimination final at Keilor Reserve to set up a preliminary final appointment with Northern Saints.

The Thunder led by five points at three-quarter-time in a tight contest before a six-goal-to-two final-term blitz gave it a 14.8 (92) to 10.6 (66) triumph.

East Sunbury's Lachlan Brne in action. Picture: Josie Hayden

“Just the feeling in the rooms afterwards, with the number of people who came into the rooms as we sang the song and listened as I spoke, it was just fantastic,” East Sunbury coach Glenn Hopkins said.

“There’s a real sense of pride amongst the supporters. People understand there are still a couple of games to go, but it was a really good day for the profile of the club and for everyone who was in it.”

East Sunbury's Tom Cree locks horns with Moonee Valley's Dillon Rogan and Cory McGrath. Picture: Josie Hayden

Hopkins lifted the club to fourth spot after the home-and-away rounds after a four-match losing streak mid-season threatened to derail the Thunder’s campaign.

The experienced mentor replaced Steve Grey as coach in June and has his team one win away from a grand final berth.

A hard-running East Sunbury outlasted the Fog after little separated the pair for three quarters.

“At halftime, it was really Moonee Valley trying to keep the game much tighter and keep it inside,” Hopkins said.

“For us, it was to get back to the way we want to play, which is outside run and get some movement all over the ground.

“We eventually sort of broke away in the last quarter. They kicked a couple of quick ones and we were able to keep playing our style.

“Even though it was a little bit wet, our style certainly kept the game in open space as much as we could.

“That speed and movement was the difference, I suppose, in the end. We got the ball quickly into an open forward line and were able to score some goals.”

East Sunbury's Jack Burnell and Moonee Valley's Richard Potter. Picture: Josie Hayden

Swingman Diquan Williams booted three goals for the winners, while usual defender Mitchell Johns kicked two.

Jorden Braddy shone in the ruck, Brad Bernacki and Tom Cree were influential in midfield, while Hopkins heaped praise on his defence.

Hopkins said skipper Lucas Shaw “may have twisted his ankle” and would be assessed this week.

East Sunbury's Thomas Galea grabs a mark. Picture: Josie Hayden

East Sunbury has won one of its three clashes with the Saints this season.

“We‘ve had some close games with them this year, so we expect this will be the same,” Hopkins said.

“It will be quite a physical game, so we’ve got to use the open spaces at Coburg City Oval and really get them moving. That’s the No. 1 thing for us.”