EDFL: Greenvale overcomes Essendon Doutta Stars in Premier Division

A Greenvale star has continued his impressive return from injury as the Jets bounced back from two straight losses while a headline recruit made his debut.

Greenvale coach Darren Bewick isn’t afraid to share his appreciation for star midfielder Ryan Townsend.

The Jets mentor openly declared his side had “missed” Townsend early in the season after he produced a best on ground display in Saturday’s 10.16 (76) to 11.2 (68) win over Essendon Doutta Stars.

Back problems meant Townsend missed the opening two rounds of the EDFL Premier Division season before returning in a heavy loss against East Keilor, he was then named in the best in his second game back.

“We missed him,” Bewick said when asked about Townsend’s game.

“His form has been really impressive in the last couple of weeks.

“I thought our midfield group including the Maric boys (Addam and Nicholas) and (Daniel) Micevski were all excellent.

“They set the tone for us early in the day and played a key role in us coming from behind at three-quarter-time.”

Nicholas Maric was among Greenvale's better players. Photo: Facebook.

After two straight defeats, Bewick said he had been forced to go back to the “drawing board” as he looked to turn his side’s form around.

He described the round three loss to East Keilor as an “embarrassment” which put his side on notice.

“I thought Saturday was a well deserved win and the boys showed great character to get back into the contest,” he said.

“We set up the ground really well consistently. We could have broken the game open in the second quarter but we kicked 5.4 and probably didn’t make the most of our opportunities.

“We were disappointed with the third quarter but the message at the last break was to reset and go again.”

Addam Maric finished with three goals for Greenvale. Photo: Facebook.

Greenvale’s headline recruit of the off-season, Cam Tudor, also played his first game for the club.

He finished the afternoon with one major as Addam Maric led the way with three.

“He will be better for the run,” Bewick said.

“He’s a good moving player who can take a grab. It means we will have a bit more variation when we go forward.

“His presence gives us something different inside 50 compared to the other guys we’ve got down there.”

Josh Hotchkin and Lachlan Hall were also impressive for the Jets.

For Doutta Stars, Karl Brown (four goals), Dalton Comito, Sam Heaton, Riley O’Meara, Raymond Eid and Noah Smallacombe were named in the best.

Greenvale will now take on a Strathmore side looking to bounce back from two straight losses while Essendon Doutta Stars travel to Keilor.