EDFL 2021: Northern Saints’ next generation star in win over Hadfield
Coach Peter Lohner puts the spotlight on the EDFL Division 2 club’s youngsters, who stood tall in the club’s Round 2 victory.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There was a suspicion Northern Saints’ lack of experience would leave it vulnerable this season.
Key departures since the end of the 2019 campaign had created opportunity but also uncertainty.
How would the Saints, who finished minor premiers in 2018 and fifth in 2019, fare with a younger team in Essendon District Football League Division 2 under first-year coach Peter Lohner?
After a bye in the opening round, the Saints opened their season with a bang on Saturday, prevailing by eight points over Hadfield in an entertaining shootout.
The home side trailed by eight points at three-quarter-time before piling on eight goals to five in the final term to score a 19.8 (122) to 17.12 (114) victory.
While seasoned midfielder Eliot Kako was among the standouts, the next generation of talent displayed their wares first up.
“I think our fitness got us there and a couple of the young fellas really stood up in the middle of the ground, along with Eliot,” Lohner said.
“It was a pretty good performance all-round really and it was a good game to watch.
“At three-quarter-time we spoke about a few things, changed a couple of things and they responded really well, which was the most encouraging thing for a young group.
“It wasn’t solely left to the experience guys.”
Recruit Anthony Petrocco earned best-afield honours after limiting ex-Saint Mark Sabatino to three majors in a high-scoring fixture.
Usual back-up ruckman Taner Can “changed the game when he went in the middle”, while Ahmed Elbaba was also impressive.
Fabian Pennelli, Nick Bruno and Mohamed Taleb each contributed four goals.
“For a long time they haven’t had to perform as a team as such, which is my expectation. That’s the one thing I really need to drill into them,” said Lohner, who took on the top job in October 2019 after steering the club’s under-19s to consecutive grand finals.
“To see the contribution all day, but especially after three-quarter-time when things needed to happen (was pleasing).
“We’d spoke about the pre-season they’d done, which was fairly substantial compared to previous years. It held them in good stead in the end.”
The Saints boasted five multiple goalkickers, with Ben Tenace booting three and Khodr Taleb two.
“It’s no different to any team. Generally someone will get off the leash.
“We’ve got three or four guys who are hard match-ups because they’re good in the air, but agile on ground as well. Hopefully that continues.
“I didn’t even realise they’d all kicked multiple goals. It was a good spread.”
But a stern test awaits, with the Saints to face leading contender Moonee Valley in Round 3.
The Fog are 2-0 after disposing of 2019 finalists Burnside Heights and Coburg Districts convincingly.
Moonee Valley monsters rival contender
It was a re-match of the 2019 preliminary final.
And it was a mismatch.
Moonee Valley made a statement in the opening round of the Essendon District Football League Division 2 season on Saturday night, crushing Burnside Heights by 90 points.
While the Bears were missing the likes of Adam Sullivan, Jordan Hughes and Logan Clegg, the Fog flexed their considerable muscle as they registered 35 scores to five in a 15.20 (110) to 3.2 (20) win.
Victorious coach Shanon Carroll stopped short of declaring the performance exceeded expectations.
But he was thrilled with how his side functioned, with Sam O’Brien, Jordan Whybrow, Bevan Newell, Mitch Collins, Bill Hansen, Kane Timmins and Liam Sabri among the recruits who featured.
“When you have some many new players … it’s more of a relief to see where you’re at and probably solidify the things we were doing at training,” Carroll said.
“To see them come off was a good thing.”
Moonee Valley led by 39 points at three-quarter-time before piling on eight goals to one to ice a dominant display.
“Being in front at three-quarter-time, we could have just shut up shop,” Carroll said.
“But they kept playing the game style we wanted to and more than anything, it was good reward for them to see those things are working.”
Carroll heaped praise on utility Zac Di Giuseppe, who was best afield, describing his effort as “absolutely brilliant”.
“He was clean, he was hard,” he said.
“He’s a young player, but he’s just one of those players who always seems to have time in traffic.”
Newell was influential in the ruck, while Hansen, Cory McGrath and Braden Padmore were also listed in the best.
Jack Newman bagged four goals, while O’Brien had an impact and finished 2.5.
Moonee Valley was missing Sam Milne, James Saragias and Luke Egan and face no shortage of tough calls at the selection table in coming weeks.
“There were some ripping performances from guys in the twos who were stiff not to play this week,” Carroll said.
“Selection again is going to be a headache, but it’s a good place to be.”
The Fog will tackle Coburg Districts at Cole Reserve in Round 2.
How ex-AFL player fits into Horne’s Moonee Valley plan
New Moonee Valley coach Andrew Horne has outlined his plans for the EDFL club as with the start of his reign bolstered by an ex-AFL player.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.