Aberfeldie beats Strathmore in stand-alone fixture

Aberfeldie has been decimated by injuries in the first half of the EDFL season but the building form of a key big man might be a sign of what’s to come for the rest of 2025.

Jack Middleton was named best on ground. Photo: EDFL Facebook.

Jack Middleton’s building form is the perfect example of what Aberfeldie wants to see for the rest of the season.

Decimated by injury throughout the opening half of the year, Abers is hopeful of welcoming back a number of key players for a premiership push.

They overcame fellow contender Strathmore by 22 points in a stand-alone Essendon District Football League fixture on Saturday to emerge as arguably the biggest threat to the unbeaten Keilor.

Middleton was named the best player on the ground, winning the Pat Cronin medal, in an impressive performance in the ruck.

What was important about his role was it the fact Middleton was playing his third senior game of the season after facing his own injury woes.

“He rucked against (Andrew) Vavra all day, one-on-one and I thought he was huge,” Abers coach Clay Illman said.

“I thought his work in the air was impressive and at ground level, the conditions obviously weren’t suited to the big guys.

“It was a tight game all day especially for the first three quarters. We were able to kick away in the last and I thought Jack’s connection with our midfield really help it set it up.

“Hopefully after the week off, we start to get a few more back and start to get a bit better run at it.”

Samuel Paea kicked three goals.Photo: Andrew Batsch

The win saw Illman’s side move into second on the ladder on percentage, able to bounce back from a 19-point loss to Deer Park.

Alongside Middleton’s best on ground performance there were also strong signs from Sam Medland (four goals), Nic Watson, Jackson McDonald, Lachlan Riley and Benjamin Smokrovic.

Callum Moore and Sam Paea also kicked three goals apiece.

“If you had of watched the Deer Park game and the Strathmore game, you would have thought you were watching a completely different side,” he said.

“We made seven changes but we were really pleased with the response. We love the stand-alone game against Strathmore because it allows us to get out on Windy Hill.

“It can be a little bit of an advantage because not too many sides get to do it before finals.”

Aberfeldie will face Maribyrnong Park when it returns to action on June 21.