EDFL: Daniel Thompson stars in game 250 for Aberfeldie against East Keilor

A milestone man dazzled in Aberfeldie’s highly anticipated clash with East Keilor as a young ruckman put his name up in lights in the absence of a EDFL star.

Daniel Thompson couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate his 250th game for Aberfeldie.

The star defender was named best on ground as Abers overcame East Keilor 17.13 (115) to 12.5 (77) to remain the only undefeated team in the Essendon District league’s Premier Division.

It was a meeting between a competition powerhouse and emerging giants, the Cougars.

But it was Thompson who ensured the Cougars suffered their first defeat of the season with a dominant display under a “finals like atmosphere”.

Coach Adam Marcon said he couldn’t speak any higher of the two-time premiership player, who has also represented the EDFL at interleague level.

“He’s an absolute gun footballer and gun person,” Marcon said on Sunday.

“He’s football has gone to another level this season and he has continued to get better since I’ve been at the club.

“We had him play on their smalls for most of the day but he also rotated through some of East Keilor’s more dangerous players.

“I thought Luke Davis and Thommo were both terrific down back for us in a really exciting game of footy.”

Tye Browning was among Aberfeldie’s better players. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Of Aberfeldie’s 17 goals on Saturday afternoon, only Kyle Reimers and Michael Ktona finished as multiple goalkickers.

By the final siren, 17 players got their name on the scoreboard.

“I knew we were balanced in terms of scoring options but it was pretty amazing to have that many guys kick goals,” Marcon said.

“It’s a sign of where the club is at because we’ve got so many different guys who are able to have an impact on a game.”

Wingers Ben Smokrovic and Tye Browning both won praise from Marcon for their performances for providing “strong outside run and class” with the pair both kicking a goal.

Sam Cattapan and James Rocci were also impressive in the hard fought win.

But Marcon also spoke highly of emerging tall Jack Middleton who stepped into the number one ruck role in the absence of Nick Meese.

“For a 20-year-old, Jack did a power of work for us throughout the game,” he said.

“He competed all day and gave us a good contest. It would have given him some great confidence.”

Meese wasn’t the only star absent with East Keilor’s Chris Stewart missing the match through suspension.

“Hopefully we get to see those guys go at it next time because it would have been a terrific contest,” Marcon said.

Jack Middleton played an important role in the absence of Aberfeldie. Picture: Stuart Milligan

With his side now sitting at 6-0, Marcon and Aberfeldie will prepare to face Pascoe Vale next weekend.

“Pascoe Vale are playing some good footy and we still have areas of our game where we want to improve,” he said.

“We didn’t play the perfect game by any means against East Keilor and we’ll go away and look at the tape and see where we can fix a few things.”

Reflecting on the game, Marcon said it was remarkable to think how far he and fellow Northern Knights product Tim Bongetti, East Keilor’s coach, have come in a short space of time.

“I remember speaking to Tim at the season launch and we were both extremely nervous about coaching our first games,” he said.

“It was pretty exciting for us and both clubs to be 5-0 before the game on Saturday. It was a great game and we look forward to playing them again.”

East Keilor’s Heath Shaw. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Bongetti produced a strong display of his own to lead the way for his side with four goals.

Brandon Coletta, Dion Hill, Joe Palazzolo, Lachie Rayner and Rhys Smith were also named among the better players for the visitors.

The Cougars will now look to bounce back against Avondale Heights.