EDFL 2019: Aberfeldie’s young guns stand tall in win over Strathmore

With several of its class players sidelined, Aberfeldie had to turn to its next wave of talent on Saturday - and they didn’t disappoint.

Clay Mullins impressed for Aberfeldie on. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Aberfeldie’s next generation of talent stood tall in the EDFL Premier Division club’s eight-point win over rival contender Strathmore at a sodden Lebanon Reserve on Saturday.

The reigning premier improved its record to 9-1 with an 8.9 (57) to 7.7 (49) victory away from home and is set to welcome back several key players after this weekend’s break.

Co-coach Luke Blackwell said the difficult conditions and personnel issues made it a satisfying triumph.

“We played eight blokes under 20, which is the youngest side I’ve played with for a long, long time. I think all the young players contributed, which was nice,” Blackwell said.

“Young Jacob Martin and Clay Mullins, guys like that, they weren’t overawed physically. They’re actually pretty solid kids.”

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Aberfeldie is likely to field a significantly strengthened line-up when it tackles bottom-placed Airport West on July 13.

The likes of Ryan Allan, Nick Cattapan, Kyle Reimers, Jacob Craven, Jayden Foster, Jess Rush and Jack Binns could all return, leaving Abers with some tough calls at the selection table.

“The way the young blokes are playing, a couple of them might have to go through the twos,” Blackwell said.

The visitors gained the ascendancy in the second term, slamming home four goals in a 20-minute burst to take an 18-point advantage into the main break.

While Aberfeldie was held goalless in the final term, it was never seriously in danger of dropping the contest.

Blackwell heaped praise on big man Jorden Braddy, who crossed from Division 2 East Sunbury over the off-season and was best afield.

“He hardly went off all day and shouldered the load on his own. He was huge,” Blackwell said.

“He’s got a great tank and he works really hard.

“He’s improved every week that he’s been with us.

“I told him after the game what an awesome effort it was.”

Luke Davis, who held Josh Helliwell goalless, was also lauded for an “amazing job”.

Elsewhere, East Keilor claimed a hard-fought four-goal win over Roxburgh Park in Division 1, 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58).

Moonee Valley moved to second on the Division 2 ladder with an 11-point victory over Burnside Heights, 6.13 (49) to 5.8 (38).

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