EDFL 2019: Pascoe Vale defeats Maribyrnong Park in tough contest

Seven days after a forgettable 72-point loss to a rival finals contender, Pascoe Vale produced a superb last quarter to overcome Maribyrnong Park on Saturday.

Ben Allan was one of Pascoe Vale’s best on Saturday. Picture: Jamie Morey

Pascoe Vale was staring at the prospect of a third consecutive loss and a tumble out of the top four on Saturday.

The Panthers led a stubborn Maribyrnong Park by three points at three-quarter-time of their EDFL Premier Division clash, aware defeat could have proven catastrophic to their finals hopes.

But after a forgettable 72-point loss to rival finals contender Strathmore the previous week — where they were restricted to four goals for just the third time since the start of 2012 — Digby Morrell’s side lifted when it was desperately needed to retain third position.

Pascoe Vale piled on the first four goals of the last half-hour before claiming a 17-point win, 13.14 (92) to 11.9 (75).

Digby Morrell addresses his players this season. Picture: Josie Hayden

Morrell said his team’s frenetic pressure played a key role in the victory in a contest which was far from pretty.

“In the end we could have lost some confidence from the week before, but the boys didn’t, and they responded,” Morrell said.

“When their backs were against the wall at three-quarter-time, they responded really, really well. The last quarter was excellent, so it was a really pleasing way to finish off the game.

“We had a season-high tackle count and we challenged our group to get back to what’s been successful for us for the year.

“In the last quarter our pressure went right up and we changed our forward structure slightly. That seemed to work and put them under a bit more pressure.

“We got to 30 points up and they kicked a couple late to make the score look a bit closer.”

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Julian Hemala continued his red-hot form in the midfield for the Panthers, named their best player for a third consecutive week.

Morrell said the recruit showcased his “poise with the ball”.

Small forwards Jordan Cellini (three goals) and Josh Cauchi (two) hit the scoreboard, while spearhead Matthew Watson also contributed two majors.

Liam Ogden and Ben Allan also shone in the middle of the ground.

Morrell viewed the heavy defeat to Strathmore as an aberration given Pascoe Vale’s consistency with a new-look line-up in 2019.

The Panthers have lost to ladder-leader Keilor twice by a total of 13 points this season and have also gone down to reigning premier Aberfeldie (21 points) and Greenvale (23 points).

“We were pretty critical after the game (against the Mores),” Morrell said.

“Strathmore, to their credit, really came out with some intensity and controlled the ball, but our group’s effort in terms of that intent and aggression wasn’t there.

“We’d been up for a bit, but we were really honest during the week and had some conversations around what we need to stand for and I knew our group would respond the way they did. They’re a really honest group, so I think it was one of those weeks you cross off.

“We had a nice, tough week on the track and set ourselves to rebound.”

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