EDFL 2021: Strathmore beats Glenroy by 107 points on Anzac Day

Coach Matt Horne pinpoints where the Mores have improved since their Round 1 loss, while some big names are in the reserves.

Athan Tsialtas bagged four goals for Strathmore on Anzac Day. Picture: Mark Dadswell

A relentless Strathmore unleashed its array of goalkicking options as it monstered Glenroy in a lopsided Essendon District Football League Anzac Day clash.

The Mores dominated from start to finish to prevail by 107 points, 24.9 (153) to 6.10 (46), in Sunday’s Premier Division fixture at Sewell Reserve.

After an opening-round loss to 2019 premier Keilor, the club has registered consecutive wins by more than 100 points against lower-ranked rivals.

Eleven players etched their names on the scoresheet in the win over the Roys, with seven contributing multiple majors.

Kyle Weightman, Athan Tsialtas (both four goals), Daniel Mammoliti, Mitch Purcell (both three), Sean Callander, Sam O’Loughlin and Ben Holian (all two) were prominent in attack.

Recruit and four-time premiership player Adam Winter was also held goalless against his former side in an indication of the threat Strathmore’s forward line will pose to opposition teams in coming months.

“It’s probably been a strength of ours this year,” coach Matt Horne said.

“We’ve got a lot of avenues to goal and don’t have one key focal point.

“We talk about being a selfless team and I think that (multiple goalkickers) is a good representation of that.

“I thought it was a pretty good performance to be honest. We started the game really well, I thought our pressure was good, and we’ve had two good weeks defensively and been able to turn the ball over and score as well.

“Pretty happy with the last two weeks but understand there’s still a fair bit to work on and improve on.”

Horne heaped praise on 2014 flag winner Purcell, who was limited to 13 senior games in 2018 and 2019.

He has played all three games in 2021 and made an impact in a positive sign for the Mores.

“He’s a leader of the club. His body has let him down a bit the past couple of years, but he’s in really good shape,” Horne said.

“When he’s fit, he’s a really important player for us.”

While Strathmore’s past two victories have come against a Craigieburn outfit staring at relegation and the Roys, Horne said he was encouraged by his team’s efforts.

The Mores were competitive for three quarters against Keilor on Good Friday before conceding eight last-quarter goals and going down by 38 points.

“Even against Keilor, watching it back, we were a little bit too easy to play against and we didn’t transition well at all,” Horne said.

“So we have changed the mix up a little bit.

“It’s only a short period, but the defensive side of our game has got better and our manic pressure and our approach to getting the ball back as quickly as possible has got better.

“I think it’s a positive, but definitely something we still need to work on.”

Horne said big man Andrew Vavra and small forward Andrew Gallucci were “50-50” chances to return for Saturday’s home match against Essendon Doutta Stars.

The likes of Shane Foulds, Will Jury, Tom Denning, Will Donaghey and Tierone Cuffe played reserves on Sunday.

“One thing we’re really comfortable with is the depth of our squad,” Horne said.

“We’ve got as good a twos team as I’ve seen in a long time and plenty of guys knocking on the door.

“If guys are sore, we’ll err on the side of caution I think.”