EDFL: Brad Inglis, Pascoe Vale overcome plucky Maribyrnong Park
A Pascoe Vale midfielder continued a brilliant run of form in front of goal as the Panthers moved a step closer to securing finals footy as they chase a first premiership since 2011.
Essendon
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You would be forgiven for thinking Brad Inglis was a permanent forward.
He’s actually one of Pascoe Vale’s star midfielders in the Essendon District League.
But in the past three games he has proven to be more than a handful for opposition sides with bags of eight and six goals with a goalless game sandwiched in between.
That’s without throwing in his seven-goal haul against Avondale Heights earlier in the season.
His six-goal performance against Maribyrnong Park came at a crucial time as the Panthers moved a step closer to securing finals footy thanks to a 15.5 (95) to 10.8 (68) win.
Inglis’ 31 majors, which have him seventh in the Premier Division goalkicking charts, are no surprise to his coach Digby Morrell.
“Brad is an excellent finisher,” he said.
“Everyone in our side is confident he will finish in front of goal when he gets the opportunity. On Saturday, he thrived off the work of guys including Matt Watson and Dan Guccione who gave us great contests inside forward 50 all day.
“Brad is a big body around the ball and has an impact when he does push forward. He’s put together a great month of footy.”
The Panthers looked primed for a shot at a first premiership since 2011 sitting two games clear of East Keilor in fourth place.
Morrell’s side also have a superior percentage to the Cougars and will face Aberfeldie, Avondale Heights and Keilor in the final three games of the season.
Keilor holds a half-a-game advantage in the race for the double chance.
“We’re really looking forward to what’s ahead,” Morrell said.
“It might sound boring but we can’t afford to look too far ahead because so much can change in just the space of a week. I believe anyone can beat anyone including East Keilor and Maribyrnong Park.
“We’re in with a shot of playing finals and there’s no better lead in then playing the sides around you. Heights might not have won every game in the back half of the season but they’re playing some really good footy and can’t be taken lightly.”
Morrell credited the victory over Maribyrnong Park to a tactical switch he made during the first quarter when the Lions were kicking with the breeze.
Early in the contest, he elected to put an extra defender behind the ball but soon realised “it wasn’t working”.
“Once we went back to even numbers behind the ball we were much more effective,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and luckily we were able to gain control in the second quarter.”
Dylan Exposto impressed across halfback for the Panthers while Michael Sikora was “great” in the ruck according to Morrell.
Zain Yamak, Liam Ogden and Watson also impressed.
Tom Baravi was best afield for the Lions.
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