EDFL 2018: Nathan Grima-coached Strathmore sitting pretty after Premier Division win over Maribyrnong Park

STRATHMORE’S transformation from possible finalist to flag contender continues to gather momentum in Essendon District Football League Premier Division.

STRATHMORE’S transformation from possible finalist to flag contender continues to gather momentum in Essendon District Football League Premier Division.

Nathan Grima’s side sits in fourth spot with a 9-4 record, one game behind ladder-leader Maribyrnong Park, after Saturday’s thrilling five-point victory over the Lions.

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The Mores have emerged from a testing stretch against their five premiership rivals with four victories — their only blemish during that period coming against Keilor by 19 points — underlining their consistency and legitimacy.

After a patchy start to the campaign, Strathmore has won seven of its past eight.

Statistically, it has the fourth best defence in the competition after leaking over 100 points twice in the first five rounds.

The highest score kicked against the Mores since has been Keilor’s 11.14 (80) in Round 10 and they have conceded 10 goals or more only three times in the past two months.

Much like Adam Iacobucci against Greenvale, Strathmore is building up a head of steam.

“Probably after the first five rounds, we just took stock. We were 2-3 and had probably given up more points than anyone in the competition and we weren’t that hard to play against,” Grima said.

“So we tinkered with a few things … and we’ve really got on top of some key things. It’s made us hang in games a lot longer.

“It’s so hard to read the form line because every week can be a completely different result.

“I think that’s why it’s been such an enjoyable year to be part of because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.

“With five rounds to go, it’s still so open.”

Strathmore prevailed 10.13 (73) to 10.8 (68) at the weekend, with star midfield duo Adam Iaccobucci and Nick O’Brien continuing their red-hot form.

The pair confronted a massive challenge with the Lions led by Will Martinello and Zac Keogh — who Grima declared the “best one-two midfield combo in the comp” — and played key roles in the triumph with the assistance of Tyson Mitchem.

While Josh Helliwell only kicked one major, Grima said his efforts since moving into the forward half had been important in the side’s revival.

Young gun Kyle Weightman bagged three goals, while fellow teenager Lachlan Currie continues to impress.

“I think our biggest improvement in the last month has been the youth we’ve brought into the team,” Grima said.

Strathmore coach Nathan Grima. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Against Greenvale we had four underage players come in and they offered a bit of spark.

“Last year we beat every team in the comp.

“Now beating Marby, we’ve done that again. Internally, we know our best is good enough, but where we’ve been found out a bit in the past is we do fall away against teams you should probably comfortably beat on paper.”

Strathmore will meet the bottom-four teams in Premier Division — Glenroy, West Coburg, Avondale Heights and Essendon Doutta Stars — in the next month.

The Mores had close calls against Glenroy (10 points) and West Coburg (eight points) in the first half of the season and Grima said they would “get found out” if complacency crept in.