EDFL: Michael Sikora, Pascoe Vale overcome Aberfeldie by six points
Michael Sikora produced his best performance of the season against fellow former VFL big man Nick Meese as Pascoe Vale ended Aberfeldie’s unbeaten start.
Essendon
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The rollercoaster that is Pascoe Vale’s season has hit another high.
After a heartbreaking loss to Maribyrnong Park last weekend, many tipped the Panthers for back-to-back defeats when they hosted Aberfeldie.
But as they’ve shown their best is good enough to get the job done.
It again proved to be the case as Pascoe Vale ran out 12.9 (81) to 11.9 (75) winners, holding off the fast finishing visitors who kicked three goals to one in the last quarter.
In the process, Aberfeldie’s unbeaten run was ended meaning all sides in the EDFL’s Premier Division have lost at least one game.
The contest was won in the middle of the ground according to Panthers coach Digby Morrell.
He said ruckman Michael Sikora was able to curb the influence of reigning league medallist Nick Meese on his return from injury.
“I thought he did a great job to nullify Nick’s impact,” he said.
“Nick has obviously been the dominant ruckman of the competition and Abers are able to break down the game if he hits it down to his midfielders.
“But it takes a lot to move Mick as well because he’s a big man.
“It was a terrific contest to watch between both of them all day.”
Former VFL big man Sikora was named the best played on the ground for the Panthers in a seesawing contest where momentum “bounced up and down”.
Matthew Watson was again terrific with four goals while Daniel Guccione booted three.
Lachlan Stredwick, Jacob Polizzi, Liam Ogden and Errol McConnell were also impressive for Pascoe Vale.
Meanwhile, Daniel Thompson was again a standout for Aberfeldie.
Luke Davis, Harrison Fry, Victor Carboni, Meese and Sam Cattapan were also named among the better players in a losing effort.
Although a “pretty even” team performance was enough to get Pascoe Vale across the line according to Morrell.
“We had put a good four or five week block together before last weekend’s loss so it was nice to bounce back straight away,” he said.
“Matt kicked our only goal of the last quarter from the boundary and it really helped us to get across the line.”
Now the Panthers will turn their attention to the winless Avondale Heights as they look to maintain a place in the top five.
“I thought they (Avondale Heights) were amazing against Aberfeldie on Anzac Day but unfortunately for them they couldn’t come away with the points,” Morrell said.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game. We need to prepare ourselves well for whoever we are playing.”
Aberfeldie will look to bounce back against Greenvale.
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