EDFL 2019: Aberfeldie defeats Pascoe Vale in Josh Toy’s 200th game
Reigning premier Aberfeldie pulled away from a stubborn Pascoe Vale to score its seventh win of the EDFL season on Saturday as a star defender made his 200th appearance for the club.
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Aberfeldie co-coach Adam Potter heaped praise on milestone man Josh Toy after his team’s EDFL Premier Division triumph over a stubborn Pascoe Vale on Saturday.
The reigning premier only broke away from the visitors in the final term as it marked Toy’s 200th game for the club with a 21-point win at Clifton Park, 11.12 (78) to 8.9 (57).
The rebounding defender is a key member of the competition’s best backline and made 13 appearances for the Gold Coast Suns at AFL level.
Toy’s heart condition, which affects his endurance and aerobic capacity but poses no danger to his health, limited his time at the top level to two seasons, but the 27-year-old is a three-time premiership player at suburban level.
“He’s an exceptional person, first and foremost, just a great leader,” Potter said.
“He makes a massive contribution obviously on field but off field as well with the way he looks after our younger players and brings them along on the journey. He also gets around our junior players with the program as well.
“He’s just a super player, who unfortunately was hampered in terms of the heart condition and couldn’t play at a higher level for longer.”
Abers secured the points without Ryan Allan, Jacob Craven, Josh Cubillo, Caleb Hislop and Jess Rush.
Mark Austin also went down in the first quarter with what appeared a serious knee injury.
In their absence, the likes of Anthony Horomidis, Matt Williamson, Harrison Fry and Jack Arceri stood tall to help second-placed Aberfeldie claim its seventh win of 2019.
The home side slowly gained control in the second half after Pascoe Vale established an 11-point advantage at the main break.
Abers kicked the last three goals of the third term and the first of the last to move 15 points clear of their opponent in a decisive period.
But the Panthers, when all looked lost, responded with the next two majors to reduce the deficit to single figures.
Ultimately, Aberfeldie was rewarded for its dominance and nailed the last three goals of the game to see off its determined opponent.
Daniel Thompson was moved forward in the second half with success, while Joel Madden starred at centre half-back.
Nick Cattapan fired in the middle, while Kyle Reimers bagged four goals — taking his season tally to 27 — in a best-afield display.
“We really got going in the uncontested game. I thought we made the ground big at the right times and move the ball with some width and our entries were a lot better in the second half,” Potter said.
“I think we took one mark inside 50 in the first half and 11 or 12 in the second half, so that made a major difference.”
Abers will next tackle Glenroy away from home.
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