EDFL 2019: Strathmore to face Aberfeldie in preliminary final

Strathmore will enter this weekend’s blockbuster preliminary final against reigning premier Aberfeldie in red-hot form after eliminating Pascoe Vale from the flag race.

Daniel Mammoliti sends Strathmore forward on Sunday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Strathmore coach Matthew Horne has warned Aberfeldie to expect a more formidable opponent as the two sides prepare to collide in a blockbuster preliminary final this weekend.

The Mores advanced after hammering Pascoe Vale in Sunday’s EDFL Premier Division elimination final and loom as a serious threat to the reigning premier.

They have lost both clashes between the pair this year by a combined margin of 23 points and are chock-full of confidence, having won seven consecutive matches since their shock one-point defeat to Glenroy in Round 12.

Tempers flare during the elimination final. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Horne said his young team would not be spooked by Abers, who are chasing a fourth flag in five seasons.

“We’re confident. We spoke during the week about having belief in what we’ve been able to do, especially over the last seven weeks,” Horne said.

“We’ve tinkered with a couple of things after we went down to Glenroy and fortunately for us they’ve worked well.

“We think we’re a different team from when we played Aberfeldie the first time and second time.

“The good thing about having a lot of youth in the team is they’re not too worried about what other teams have done.

“They’ll run their own race and we’ll just keep playing how we want to play.”

Will Jury is all smiles after nailing a goal for Strathmore. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Horne said he was “immensely proud” of his players, with the club defying pre-season predictions of a slide down the ladder.

Four former AFL players — ex-coach Nathan Grima, best and fairest winner Jaryd Cachia, Hamish McIntosh and Nick Lower — departed last off-season, along with Tom Condon and Daniel O’Leary.

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But Strathmore has remained competitive while introducing young talent, with stars Adam Iaccobucci, Nick O’Brien, Luke Jarrad, Andrew Horne, Liam Cavanagh and Andrew Vavra delivering consistently.

Pascoe Vale’s Jack Whaley and Strathmore’s Alex Grima lock horns. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“I knew the young guys were good players, but we’re not satisfied with being another number in the finals,” Horne said.

“We’re here to have a crack.”

O’Brien was a late omission from the sudden-death final because of the birth of his first child, but his absence did not hamper the Mores, who dominated from start to finish to register a 40-point win over Pascoe Vale at Coburg City Oval, 6.13 (49) to 1.3 (9).

Gun big man Vavra was best afield, Cavanagh kept Daniel Archer goal-less and Lucas Cavallaro limited Matthew Watson to one major.

Strathmore’s Athan Tsialtas in action. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Horne heaped praise on Vavra, who has earned 11 mentions in the best players from 17 games this season.

“In my opinion, he’s the best ruckman in the comp,” he said.

“He was brilliant. He rucked pretty much 100 per cent of the game.

“He was the most influential player on the ground I think.”

Minor premier Keilor defeated Aberfeldie by 14 points in the major semi-final.

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