EDFL 2019: Pascoe Vale hammer Strathmore in Premier Division

Pascoe Vale has emerged from a difficult run of fixtures to start the Premier Division season with a 2-2 record, but new coach Digby Morrell has tipped his team to only get better.

Matthew Watson booted four goals for Pascoe Vale on Saturday. Picture: Aaron Cook

Digby Morrell has given the opening month of his tenure at Pascoe Vale a tick of approval after the EDFL Premier Division club scored a crushing victory in Round 4.

The Panthers pummelled Strathmore by 66 points at Lebanon Reserve, 17.8 (110) to 6.8 (44), to improve their record to 2-2.

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While Pascoe Vale is fielding a new-look line-up in 2019, it has also faced three of last year’s finalists — Greenvale, Keilor and the Mores — in a testing start.

The Panthers will have an opportunity to build some momentum in coming weeks with clashes against Maribyrnong Park, Glenroy and Avondale Heights before they face reigning premier Aberfeldie.

“We’ve played three of the finalists from last year and been really competitive in all our games,” Morrell said.

“From a tracking point of view, we’re probably sitting where we want to sit.

“The next month will give us a guide on where we really sit in the scheme of things, but the pleasing thing from the first month is that we’re not far away from those top sides.

“We think we’re going to improve as the year goes along, so we’re pretty content about where we sit with knowledge we’ve got a heap of improvement as well.”

Pascoe Vale has dropped games against Greenvale (23 points) and Keilor (four points).

A nine-goal final-quarter burst gave it a percentage-boosting win over Strathmore after the sides were separated by just 20 points at the final change of ends.

“The game was really tight until three-quarter-time and then we got a roll on in the last quarter when the game opened up,” Morrell said.

“I suppose the score flatters us a little bit, but it was good reward for all our hard work during the game.

“They (the Mores) are a young group, so we pushed and pushed and eventually broke them, which was really pleasing that our guys cashed in.”

Morrell noted his team had 11 goalkickers, led by Matthew Watson (four goals) and Josh Cauchi (three).

Williamstown-listed VFL played Nick Mellington starred in the midfield, while ruckman Jesse Boyd impressed in his match up against in-form Strathmore big man Andrew Vavra.

Kristian Economou and Luke Foster marshalled the defence.

Morrell also praised his backline, while the Panthers also dominated the clearances to create scoring opportunities.

“Our game’s not necessarily built around massive scores, but we know we can score quickly if we need to,” he said.

“From my point of view and the group’s point of view, it’s just pleasing to have a large spread.”

Keilor, Aberfeldie, Greenvale and Pascoe Vale make up the top four.

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