EDFL 2021: Aberfeldie recruit Nick Meese stars in win over Pascoe Vale

Ex-Williamstown gun Nick Meese is making his mark in the suburban ranks, putting in a best-afield performance on Saturday.

Nick Meese is in top form for Aberfeldie. Picture: Michael Dodge

Nick Meese produced an encouraging display for Aberfeldie in Round 1.

On Saturday, the former VFL star was a commanding presence in his side’s hard-fought Essendon District Football League Premier Division victory over Pascoe Vale.

Meese was best on ground, winning his battle with another ex-state league big man in Michael Sikora, and you sense it won’t be the last time he is the standout performer in an EDFL fixture in 2021.

Meese, who claimed VFL Team of the Year honours in six consecutive seasons before retiring, was perhaps the biggest signing to land in the competition’s top flight for 2021.

With Abers injecting some young talent into their midfield, skipper Luke Davis said the acquisition of Meese had proven invaluable.

James Peters looks for an option for Aberfeldie. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s a mountain of a man, so he’s good to have in your team,” Davis said.

“He’s just bringing a lot of experience into the midfield because it’s a younger midfield now. His experience in there is so good for the boys.

“He’s a workhorse, wants to win and is a competitive beast.

“He’s bought into everything we’re about from the get-go and it’s pleasing to see him playing so well early on.

“Hopefully he and the midfield group he’s working with will only get better.”

Meese was a member of Williamstown’s 2015 flag and won its best-and-fairest award two years later.

At 195cm, he may lack size compared to some of the EDFL’s leading big men in Greenvale’s Fabian Deluca, Keilor’s Andrew Browne and Sikora, but his physicality and ability to follow up makes him a formidable opponent.

Aberfeldie and Pascoe Vale lock horns. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s not the tallest ruckman, I think everyone knows that, and he’s going to come up against some pretty big ruckmen in the competition with the likes of Deluca, Browne and Sikora,” Davis said.

“They’ve probably got him in height, but where he is at his strongest is just around the ground, being able to use his body and strength to out-position them.

“He’s just great at using his body and getting into the best positions.”

While Meese, Sam Cattapan and Davis starred in the 13-point Round 2 win over Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve, 9.18 (72) to 9.5 (59), Aberfeldie’s future appears in good hands.

Sam Medland, who was playing his third senior game, made a vital contribution with four majors.

Davis said Medland had reaped the rewards for his hard work in recent months.

Sam Medland grabs a mark for Abers. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He really wants to be an Aberfeldie senior player and that’s shown through his pre-season,” he said.

“Being given the opportunity in Round 1, he earnt it, and he’s put in some really strong performances. Not just (on Saturday), but even in the practice games. It’s great to see him stepping up.”

Davis said youngsters Harry Fry, Matt Williamson and Stefan Rasinac also continued to improve.

The club claimed the reserves premiership two years ago and depth appears plentiful despite the exits of Jorden Braddy, Jaryd Cachia, Josh Pound, Luke Blackwell, Jacob Craven, Jess Rush and Mitch Andrews since the end of 2019.

“It’s good seeing so many of our younger players taking that next step because we need that growth to continue to be around the mark,” Davis said.

“It’s good for our club and the young players coming through that there are going to be opportunities. If they take them, they can cement their spot in the senior team.”

While Abers have not been at their best in the opening two weeks, Davis said the fact they had found a way to win away games against rival finals contenders Greenvale and the Panthers was a positive.

The three-time premiership captain said his side failed to make the most of its chances on Saturday.

“Pacco were still very good,” Davis said.

“It was a very contested sort of game and they used the ball really smartly.

“We’ve probably got to be a bit better defensively, but I think that will come.”

Aberfeldie will next host Avondale Heights in Round 3.

Star recruits, mainstays impress for Aberfeldie

Aberfeldie’s big-name recruits produced encouraging performances in the club’s heart-fought victory over rival Greenvale in Saturday’s Essendon District Football League Premier Division season opener.

VFL premiership trio Nick Meese, Peter Faulks and David Fahey all featured in 11-point away win, 9.9 (63) to 7.10 (52).

Meese, arguably the biggest signing in the EDFL’s top flight since the end of the 2019 campaign, was prominent in the ruck duels and around the ground with Jets star Fabian Deluca sidelined.

“Statistically, he’s had his 8-10 clearances and a similar number in terms of tackle efforts,” Abers coach Adam Potter said of his prized signing.

“The players are getting used to how he operates, obviously winning a lot of hits around the ground and the way he goes about it with his second efforts.

“He was really impressive and ran the game out really well.

“It was a good four-quarter performance from Nick, but as he said after the game, it was hard and challenging and he’s looking forward to getting some continuity going.”

Aberfeldie coach Adam Potter calls the shots. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Faulks and Fahey bolstered one of the leading defences in suburban football, along with Coburg-listed Tye Browning, allowing the visitors to deploy champion Ryan Allan inside the attacking 50m arc.

Faulks’ afternoon came to an end in the third term after he received a knock.

But while the new faces fired, plenty also stayed the same, with dependable backmen Luke Davis and Josh Toy outstanding in difficult conditions.

Jayden Foster bagged three majors, while youngsters Matt Williamson and Anthony Horomidis also impressed.

With Kyle Reimers absent, Allan provided a second key target in the forward half to complement Foster.

“It gives us another key inside 50 that will worry oppositions and therefore gives us another avenue (to goal),” Potter said.

“Those two combined for I think seven marks inside 50. Ryan only kicked the one goal, but he gave a couple off and had a really good impact.”

Potter said the two perennial contenders, who contested the 2015 and 2017 deciders, put on a scrappy fixture.

But with 11 changes since the 2019 grand final and only one practice match before Saturday, the three-time premiership coach was pleased to emerge with a 1-0 record.

Potter noted his new-look line-up would take “a little while to come together”.

Abers’ four-goal-to-one third term with the breeze proved decisive after they managed 1.3 from 16 forward 50m entries in the first stanza.

“I’m hoping our connection will improve moving forward,” Potter said.

“We didn’t connect well, we didn’t kick the ball in good areas.

“But to our credit the defence, led by Luke Davis and Josh Toy, held up really well at the other end, which was pleasing.

“In that third quarter, we started to make the ground big and use more space and were a little bit more efficient going inside 50.”

Aberfeldie was also missing Josh Cubillo, Jack Binns and recruit Jake Conolan.

Injury-hit Greenvale has confirmed skipper Addam Maric will be out for the season in a devastating blow, while Courtenay Dempsey, Sam Zumbo, Chris Farchione, Aaron Mansfield and Anthony Caligiuri were others sidelined.

Abers will next face Pascoe Vale, while the Jets will meet 2019 premier Keilor in Round 2.