EDFL 2019: Northern Saints chasing finals spot in Division 2

Northern Saints are hopeful of finishing 2019 on a positive note after a four-game losing run threatened to derail their season.

Northern Saints coach Brett Kennerley is in his first season at the helm. Picture: Josie Hayden

Northern Saints coach Brett Kennerley has lamented a four-game losing run which could have extinguished the EDFL Division 2 club’s finals hopes.

The Saints, who were minor premiers last season before a straight-sets finals exit, have a 7-6 win-loss record ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash against Coburg Districts.

They will then tackle winless Keilor Park before finishing the home-and-away season with a bye.

The club won six of its first eight games before defeats to Sunbury Kangaroos (116 points), Hadfield (14 points), Burnside Heights (30 points) and Moonee Valley (48 points).

The Saints returned to the winners’ list with a 31-point victory over East Sunbury in Round 14, but they will be relying on other results to figure beyond the home-and-away campaign.

Tamar Abdallah has been one of Northern Saints’ most consistent performers. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“I put it to the players after the game against Keilor Park (on June 15) that we hadn’t played the brand of footy we would have liked and we got ahead of ourselves, and the next few weeks really showed that,” Kennerley said.

“We were playing selfish footy at times and other times we just weren’t turning up for the contest.

“You can’t do that in this competition, so the results speak for themselves.”

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Kennerley lashed his side’s display against pacesetter Sunbury Kangaroos in Round 10, describing it the drop off from a 27-point loss against the same opponent in the season opener as “disgusting at best”.

But the Saints rediscovered some of their better form in the second half against the Valley and are hopeful of finishing 2019 on a positive note.

“I think we’ve really started to show ourselves how good we can be and hopefully next year it augurs well to get the benefit of the hard yards this year,” Kennerley said.

“I think next year is going to be a much better year for us, but every coach says that.”

The Saints have also shown their commitment to young talent, with Adnan Hafda, who claimed last year’s under-19.5 Division 2 best and fairest, and under-17 Fabian Pennelli both nailing down spots in the senior line-up.

The likes of Matthew Gray, Matthew D’Angelo and Mousty Hammoud have had interrupted seasons, while Khodr Taleb and Nick Bruno are serving suspensions.

“It hurts, but at the same time you’re getting the opportunity to expose kids,” Kennerley said.

On the positive side, midfielders Tamer Abdallah and Eliot Kako have been in red-hot form, while recruit Aaron D’Cruz has shone in defence.

“They’re the soul of the club really, those two boys (Abdallah and Kako),” Kennerley said.

“They’ve both had very good years. Tamer has been exceptionally strong and is a real ball-winner. Kako leads by example and is one of those guys who gives you effort every week.”

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