EDFL 2018: Essendon Doutta Stars survive in Premier Division after final-round win over Greenvale

ESSENDON Doutta Stars has completed a remarkable climb off the canvas to preserve its Premier Division status.

ESSENDON Doutta Stars has completed a remarkable climb off the canvas to preserve its Premier Division status.

The Stars finished their Essendon District Football League campaign on a positive note with a 28-point victory over finalist Greenvale on Saturday.

The win was the club’s third of 2018 as it ended the year in ninth spot and one game clear of relegated West Coburg.

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“It was unbelievable. People were just overjoyed,” Stars vice president Dean Solomon said.

“All the hard work they’ve done, it just all came to fruition.

“There wasn’t a bad player — they all did their jobs.”

The Stars lost their first 12 games before knocking off West Coburg, Avondale Heights and the Jets in the run home to survive.

They suffered close single-figure defeats against the Burgers, Greenvale and Glenroy before breaking through for their first win in Round 13.

Essendon Doutta Stars will compete in Premier Division in 2019. Pictures: Jamie Morey.

“There were a couple of games earlier in the season where we were right in it up to our eyeballs and just couldn’t get across the line,” Solomon said.

“When you lose 12 games in a row, that belief when it gets close gets worn away and you think, ‘oh no, here we go again’.”

Plenty was at stake on Saturday, with the Stars trying to stay in the top flight and Greenvale chasing the double chance.

The Jets threatened to overrun their opponents in the last term after trailing at every change, but the home side kicked the last three goals of the match to claim a 12.17 (89) to 9.7 (61) triumph.

Skipper Jordan Rogers, Jordan Schroder and Jordan Angus stood tall for the club in a testing period, while teenagers Declan Tully and Thomas Barker made their senior debuts and impressed.

“At the end of the day, we probably just wanted it a little bit more than what they (Greenvale) did,” Solomon said.

“They backed themselves, they made some mistakes, but they never dropped their heads.”

Dean Wallis has led Essendon Doutta Stars to safety. Picture: James Ross

Solomon said the Stars were yet to make a call on coach Dean Wallis but it is understood the dual Essendon premiership player will not continue at the helm next year.

“I think we’ll sit down once the dust settles,” Solomon said.

“He’s been fantastic. He’s ended up playing with a deck of cards this year, through no fault of his own, that he was left with and he’s just turned it into a strong group.

“The unity they showed … it’s been a good finish to the year.”

Keilor and Aberfeldie will contest the major semi-final on Saturday, while Strathmore will face Greenvale in the elimination final.