EDFL 2019: Greenvale confident better injury run will lead to success

Greenvale expects to be a more formidable side in the top flight of the EDFL this season and is banking on a more favourable run with injury.

Courtenay Dempsey (left) missed a large chunk of last season. Picture: Hamish Blair

Greenvale expects to be a more formidable side in the top flight of the EDFL this season and is banking on a more favourable run with injury.

After qualifying for the grand final in 2017, the Jets were hammered by Strathmore in last year’s Premier Division elimination final, going down by 40 points after kicking five of the game’s last six goals.

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It was a disappointing end to a campaign which promised plenty, Greenvale coughing up the second chance with a final-round loss to Essendon Doutta Stars.

“We weren’t good enough,” president Bruce Kent said.

“We played a very young side and we played some terrific games and we played some bad games.

“We did beat everybody in the league last year. I’m not sure many teams manage to do that. I think we would’ve made the grand final if we finished second.

“It just wasn’t a very good (elimination final). Whether some of the young kids were overawed, I’m not sure.”

Greenvale captain Addam Maric in action. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Greenvale’s depth was severely tested with skipper Addam Maric, Nat Caruso, Jacob Thompson, Nicholas Parthenopoulos and Courtenay Dempsey all missing large chunks of the season.

On the positive side, Laurence King, Cody Lynch, Matthew Bonello, Ryan Mills and Matthew Koroneos were among the lesser lights to emerge at senior level.

“If we have a better run with injuries, then we should go all right,” Kent said.

“We’ve got a lot of good kids and in a year when you don’t recruit anyone, some of them rise to the top.

“Some of them were quite good and they’ll be no doubt better.

“They’re all training well, so we’re feeling pretty good.”

The Jets have had a quiet off-season, with Daniel Burns (retired) and Jayden Ranno (Airport West) departing and no arrivals of significance.

Greenvale underwent a change in identity last season under coach Paul Chapman, establishing itself as a strong defensive side to complement its attacking threat.

Asked if his club remained a contender to claim its first senior flag since 2013, Kent said: “Absolutely. I think we’ll have a better team this year and people forget that but for that one bad loss to Douttas, we would have finished second. Hard to say that’s a bad year.”

The Jets will face Pascoe Vale in a blockbuster opening-round clash on April 6.

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