EDFL 2018: Nathan Grima’s Strathmore scores thrilling six-point win over Avondale Heights in Premier Division

Strathmore has a 5-0 record in EDFL games decided by two goals or less in 2018 and prevailed by six points in another thriller on Saturday.

STRATHMORE is the undisputed king of the close one.

As we approach Essendon District Football League Premier Division finals, where thrillers are likely after an enthralling home-and-away campaign, the Mores ability to lift themselves in crucial periods could prove decisive.

Strathmore coach Nathan Grima gets a kick away. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Strathmore is 5-0 in matches decided by two goals or less this year and has won seven of eight since coach Nathan Grima took over the top job in 2017.

While the Mores were expected to make light work of Avondale Heights on Saturday, they escaped with a six-point victory after kicking the only two goals of the last term.

“There are reasons why we were in that position and we can work on those, but the reality is we’ve been in that position now eight times and we’ve found a way to win in seven of them,” Grima said.

“In saying that, we didn’t play the way we wanted to.

“In the end, it was just good to get over the line, especially with the ramifications of a loss with how tight the ladder is.

“Credit to Avondale, they played their ground really well and were probably the better team for most of the day.”

The success improved Strathmore’s record to 12-4 and allowed it to retain second spot on percentage.

Andrew Horne was one of Strathmore’s best on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Xavier Allison, Samuel O’Loughlin and Andrew Horne shone in the 9.9 (63) to 8.9 (57) victory.

The Mores are hopeful Andrew Vavra will be back in time for finals after suffering what Grima described as a “minor arm injury”, while Mitch Purcell is nearing a return after three months out with a hamstring.

Nick O’Brien, Shane Foulds, Daniel O’Leary and Ben Bese are all a chance to face Essendon Doutta Stars in Round 17.

Strathmore has won 10 of its past 11 matches after a 2-3 start to the campaign.

“We’ve done that by using 30-odd players and four or five under-19 kids, and we’re definitely a team that needs 22 contributors,” Grima said.

“Where we’ve fallen away is with one or two guys not valuing their role in the side.

“When we’ve played really well as a collective, we’ve beaten every team in the competition.”