EDFL 2021: Maribyrnong Park’s Seb Greene nails match-winner

Five players made their senior debuts for the Lions in Saturday’s EDFL season opener, with one nailing the match-winner. SEE THE MOMENT.

Maribyrnong Park fielded five senior debutants in its Essendon District Football League season opener against Glenroy on Saturday.

One of them, Seb Greene, crowned a memorable match with an unforgettable moment.

With his team trailing in the dying stages of the Premier Division clash, Greene marked and then coolly slotted what proved to be the match-winning goal from 35m out with about 10 seconds remaining as the Lions prevailed by three points away from home, 13.17 (95) to 14.8 (92).

Greene was playing his first game for Maribyrnong Park after arriving from PEGS.

“It was into the teeth of what had become a really strong wind, so it was a difficult shot,” first-year coach Brad Swain said.

“But, gee, it felt good when it sailed through.

“You couldn’t ask for a better finish to a first game from Seb. It’s a dream come true that sort of stuff.”

Maribyrnong Park coach Brad Swain. Picture: Facebook

Ismail Moussa and Jonah Horo also made their first appearances for the club, while junior products Jackson Griffin and Toby Maher pushed their way into the top team.

“Really exciting to inject some enthusiasm and workrate into the team,” Swain said.

Small forward Griffin shone in his first outing and was named best afield after earning the chance to join brother Darcy, who contributed two majors, in the senior line-up.

“It was a really special moment when Darcy presented him with his guernsey before the game and his family were there,” Swain said.

“They’re staunch Marby boys.

“The pressure and workrate that Jacko was able to bring to make sure Glenroy weren’t exiting our forward 50 with too much ease was just enormous throughout the day. He went a long way to keeping us in it.”

Nick Prowse, who returned to the Lions after the 2019 campaign, bagged five goals in an impressive display, while Jordan Davey provided the Roys with plenty of headaches in defence, plucking seven intercept marks.

Recruit Tom Baravi, Brodie Romensky and George Abboud (two goals) also fired for the winners.

The visitors were wasteful at Sewell Reserve, kicking one goals from 10 scores in the opening half-hour.

They led by 22 points at three-quarter-time before conceding four consecutive final-term goals as Glenroy took full advantage of the breeze.

But Greene intervened to ensure Swain’s first match in charge ended with a positive result.

“We probably didn’t understand the local conditions as well as Glenroy did,” Swain said.

“We wasted a few opportunities … we always knew they would be tough at the contest and they were.

“They put some real scoreboard pressure on right throughout the day and it came down to the last kick.”

Tanner Nilsson and Jayden Borg were Glenroy’s best, while Aaron Kite kicked four goals.

Maribyrnong Park will host Avondale Heights in Round 2, while the Roys are away to Essendon Doutta Stars.