EDFL: Greenvale too good for Avondale Heights in Premier Division
A Greenvale midfielder responded to his coach’s challenge to produce more as the Jets overcame Avondale Heights in a crunch Premier Division clash.
Essendon
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Greenvale coach Darren Bewick couldn’t be happier with the options at his disposal.
With key players missing, the Jets senior mentor was forced to move the magnets in his side’s 15.4 (94) to 12.5 (77) EDFL Premier Division win over Avondale Heights on Saturday.
While Jordan Thompson continued to be a strong focal point inside forward 50 with seven goals in a best on ground display, it was the rise of other players which had Bewick pleased.
Among those was Daniel Micevski who shouldered extra responsibility in the middle of the ground.
“We challenged him before the game and told him we needed him to stand up,” he said.
“We threw the Caruso boys (Fort and Natale) in there as well and it gave us a different look which worked really well.”
Off-season recruit Michael Caven also spent more time in the middle of the ground in his performance in Greenvale colours.
He was named among the Jets’ better players.
“He went into the middle in the last game and showed a little bit so we thought he deserved an opportunity,” Bewick said.
“Michael has taken some time to adjust to the speed of the competition and his new teammates but we’re starting to see the best of him I think.
“He’s a bigger body so he gives us another contest player. I’m sure he will get a lot of confidence out of the weekend’s performance.”
Bewick said Thompson’s performance was something he had come to expect this season after he followed up a brilliant performance against premiership contender Aberfeldie a week earlier.
“He’s given us a real target and is getting the rewards,” he said.
“Jordy is another guy who has stood up for us when we’ve needed it.”
Despite kicking just two goals in the second half, Bewick said he was pleased with his team’s performance considering they had played their “best footy of the season” before halftime.
“It’s a very important win for us,” he said.
“The boys have stuck to what we’ve been working on so it’s good to come away with a win. We kept it really simple and controlled the ball as well as we have.
“It was great to see us hold on under some real pressure from Avondale Heights.”
Silver Yousif was named the best player on the ground for Avondale Heights.
Jackson Robb, Aaron Gundry, Donnacadh Cleary, Matt Darby and Bailey Williamson also competed well.
Greenvale faces a huge test against Keilor after a week off while Avondale Heights travel to take on Strathmore.
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