EDFL: Aaron Clarke boots five as Avondale Heights record second win
A VFL-listed forward stunned in his first game in over two months as Avondale Heights unleashed a new key duo in a possible season defining win over Doutta Stars.
Essendon
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Aaron Clarke’s return to the Avondale Heights line-up couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Coburg VFL-listed forward returned from injury with a bang on Saturday as Heights recorded their second win of the season 14.8 (92) to 12.9 (81) over Essendon Doutta Stars.
It was Clarke’s first game since late April as he returned from a torn hamstring tendon to spark new life into his side’s EDFL Premier Division campaign.
The win saw Heights leapfrog Doutta Stars into eighth position and one game clear of last-place Glenroy putting coach Paddy Byrne’s men in prime position to avoid relegation.
Clarke formed a formidable partnership with Matt Darby who finished with four goals in a best on ground display.
“It’s the first time we’ve played with our main two key forwards this year,” Byrne said.
“Unfortunately Darbs didn’t play when Aaron last played which means we haven’t seen them together. It gave us a different look up forward.
“Having personnel available has been one of our biggest challenges this year and I was pleased with how well those boys played together.
“It would be great if we can get some more games out of them.”
Clearly brothers, Donnacadh and Ruairi, were among Heights’ better players alongside Tom Russell who “dominated” in the ruck with a couple of goals.
Bradley and Jackson Robb were also impressive in a winning effort.
While Byrne took plenty of positives away from the game, he said there were elements to his side’s game that needed improvement.
Heights led by 28 points at halftime before Doutta Stars found their way back into the contest.
“We played some good footy but let them back in,” he said.
“The message at three-quarter-time was to stick to the process. We were dominating most of the stats but silly errors were being punished.
“They were efficient when they went forward which was frustrating. We know our best is good enough to match it in this division we just need to close the gap with our worst.
“But a win is a win.”
In positive signs for Heights, Josiah Garisto rediscovered his best after “being down” in recent weeks.
Hamish Murphy was again a key contributor for Heights doing what he has been doing “all year” according to Byrne.
John Roumeliotis and Karl Brown finished with three goals apiece for Doutta Stars while James Harrold was named best afield in just his third game of the season.
Doutta Stars will next face Greenvale while Avondale Heights hosts Keilor in the second week of a split round.
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