EDFL 2019: Young Strathmore knocks off Greenvale in Premier Division

With six under-19s and 10 players aged 20 or under in its line-up, Strathmore claimed its biggest scalp of the EDFL Premier Division season.

Strathmore coach Matthew Horne has been rapt with his young players. Picture: Jamie Morey

Strathmore is taking no notice of birth certificates.

The Mores moved into the EDFL Premier Division top four and extended their winning run to four games with an upset nine-point victory over Greenvale on Saturday.

The winning side featured six under-19s and 10 players aged 20 or under, showing the club’s future is in safe hands after an off-season of change.

Four former AFL players — ex-coach Nathan Grima, best and fairest winner Jaryd Cachia, Hamish McIntosh and Nick Lower — exited over the break, along with star forward Tom Condon.

Little has been said about Strathmore despite the fact it lost to Keilor by just two points in last year’s preliminary final after holding a 44-point advantage at three-quarter-time.

The departures suggested the Mores would slide, but coach Matthew Horne has remained steadfast his team remains a contender.

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“Some people from outside the club might think we’re a little irrelevant,” Horne said.

“We now sit inside the four and have 8-10 to come back that could play senior footy.

“I think we’re in a good position depth-wise. Those young guys have held up their end of the bargain to get an opportunity and are really performing well.

“Pretty happy with the group, but we know we just have to stay consistent with our effort.”

Xavier Allison was one of Strathmore’s best on Saturday. Picture: Ian Currie

Andrew Horne, Joseph Drake, James Saville, Daniel Mighell, Nick Ingleton, Mitchell Purcell and Jack Condon were among those sidelined for the win over the Jets.

Little separated the teams all afternoon, with the Mores recovering from a four-point deficit at three-quarter-time to claim a 13.9 (87) to 12.6 (78) victory.

Adam Iacobucci, Lucas Cavallaro and Xavier Allison were Strathmore’s best, while Will Jury bagged five majors.

“I’d say it’s probably our best win for the year, just with the age demographic of the team and a lot of new faces,” Horne said.

“It’s always hard to win up at Greenvale. Really happy we got the points.

“I thought we controlled the ball pretty well and our pressure, driven by those young guys, was really good.

“Some of the older guys were really good as well … there’s a really good feeling around the club with that mix.”

The Mores will next tackle Essendon Doutta Stars on Saturday.

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