EDFL 2019: Glenroy scores win over Essendon Doutta Stars

Despite losing four key players in the lead up to the match and a goal-less opening term, Glenroy recovered to secure its spot in EDFL Premier Division for 2020.

Ross Terranova heaped praise on his players after Saturday’s win. Picture: Ian Currie

A “seriously undermanned” Glenroy retrieved a sizeable quarter-time deficit to secure its fourth win of the season and its place in EDFL Premier Division for another year on Saturday.

The Roys were staring at a 43-point deficit at the first break after a horror 30 minutes in their clash against Essendon Doutta Stars at Sewell Reserve.

But they responded with seven unanswered goals in the second quarter to trail by just two points at half-time before a 12-goal-to-nine second half gave them 16-point victory, 19.6 (120) to 16.8 (104), in a high-scoring contest.

Making the success all the more meritorious was the fact Glenroy lost Lachlan Ronaldson, Adam Del Busso, Aaron Kite and Steven Golding in the 24 hours leading up to the fixture.

Lachlan Ronaldson was on the sidelines. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It’s a true testament to the character of the group really,” Roys coach Ross Terranova said.

“We probably got spooked at the start and didn’t get our hands on the footy whatsoever.

“We threw a couple of things around at quarter-time and said we just wanted to grind back, kick a few goals and see if we can work our way back into the game.

“To kick 19 goals after quarter-time was a great effort from the group.

“It was a free-flowing game, but the group’s got plenty of character.”

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Daniel Riley, Daniel Ferraro and Tanner Nilsson played significant roles for the winners.

Adam Winter and Tyson Lever bagged four goals each, while Judd Brewster contributed three.

With Winter the only key target in the attacking 50, Glenroy moved versatile Coburg-listed VFL player Jonty Neaves forward for some extra support, which paid dividends.

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Asked if he gave his players a bake at quarter-time, Terranova said: “There was a little bit in there, but you can’t play as bad as you did in that first quarter and not get better.

“Structurally, we just had to change a couple of things up forward and we weren’t winning the ball in the midfield and our stoppage work was pretty poor.

“In the end, you can give them a spray and see how they respond or give them a bit of both, with some guidance and direction, and there was still hope there because it was only quarter-time.”

The win left the 2017 Division 1 premier in eighth position with a 4-1-11 record and 10 points clear of bottom-placed Airport West with two rounds remaining.

After a testing season with injury, Terranova was pleased the Roys had preserved their Premier Division status.

Glenroy will close its campaign with clashes against Maribyrnong Park and Aberfeldie.

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