EDFL: St Albans secure Jacob Townsend as Tom Eckel makes hot start
St Albans has made a hot start to the season with one gun recruit being a standout and another signing set to be sidelined for a “couple” of weeks. Plus the Saints prepare to unveil an AFL premiership star.
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St Albans coach Zammy Muhtari puts his side’s impressive start to the season down to the playing group’s togetherness.
And the depth is only set to grow with Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend to play a “few games” for the EDFL Division 1 club this season.
Muhtari’s side is 2-0 heading into a huge Good Friday clash with Hillside as the senior mentor looks to see more growth from his side.
“It’s been a good start, when you’re 2-0, things seem to be going well,” he said.
“There’s been quite a bit of change for us in the off-season. A lot of new personnel has come into the club and growing the connection has been something we’ve focused on.
“The guys spend a lot of time together on and off the field. They’ve really embraced the new guys which has helped with our performances on the field.”
One new player who has made an immediate impact is Tom Eckel who joined the Saints from Stawell in the Wimmera league where he was a senior coach.
During his time in country footy, Eckel won a league medal.
“I’ve had a connection to Tom for a few years,” Muhtari said.
“He’s a great leader and comes with a great resume. He’s someone who has been fantastic for our younger guys especially since coming into the side.
“One area we’ve tried to improve this year is by adding some leg speed and that’s where some of our younger guys have come in.”
Key forward Nathan Carroll is expected to miss a “couple more weeks” with injury after debuting in the season opener against Craigieburn, kicking two goals.
“It’s disappointing he’s not out there but it’s a good opportunity for him to work with the forwards,” Muhtari said.
“We’ve got a couple of younger guys down there and with Nathan’s good experience, he’ll be able to help them with what he’s seeing from the sidelines.”
Townsend was on Southport’s VFL list last season, playing one game, while his only other footy appearance was for Broadbeach in the QAFL.
“We’ve been in talks for three or four months,” Muhtari said.
“It’s always good when you can add a quality player like Jacob to your side. He will play a few games and we’ll work those out as we go.”
Looking ahead to Good Friday, Muhtari said his side could no underestimate a Sharks outfit who are staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start.
“It’s always a challenge, no matter where they are on the ladder,” he said.
“The beauty of playing on Good Friday is it brings the community together. Hopefully we get a fantastic crowd.”
The game will be played at Hillside Recreation Reserve from 2.15pm.
Recruits make immediate impact at Oak Park
The EDFL Division 1 season is only two games old but Oak Park is already seeing the quality its new recruits have added.
Todd Clark’s side recorded an 11-point win over Avondale Heights on Saturday in a rollercoaster clash and new Roos produced a big performance.
It was needed as Heights seriously challenged the home side and threatened to cause a massive boilover.
Midfielder Errol McConnell was everywhere, finding the ball at will across the ground. He’s returned to his junior club for 2025.
Former Pascoe Vale defender Lachlan Stredwick was named in the best. A key feature of his game was his ability to read the footy and come off an opponent.
“He’s just a smart footballer,” Clark said of McConnell.
“He doesn’t just run for the sake of it, he runs to the right spots and brings others into it. We brought these guys in for a reason.
“They’re good footballers who are quality people as well.”
Oak Park has recorded two impressive wins to start its season having overcome Hillside in the opening round.
The Roos trailed by 34 points at halftime as Andrew Kahofer’s Heights proved why they’re already shaping as a finals contender after last year’s relegation.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they finished with two on the bench.
As for the Roos, they were down one in the first quarter when Bailey Smith suffered a shoulder injury.
Clark said he couldn’t see why some people thought Heights would be a battler.
“There’s all this talk, Avondale is going to come down and struggle,” he said.
“But they’ve still got 14 Premier Division footballers in their side. But we were up for it.
“That first half, especially in the second quarter, they were able to open us up as good sides will.”
There was no screaming or yelling from the Oak Park rooms at the main break, they just needed a sense of composure.
Clark said he was pleased to see his side respond.
“We’re all grown men,” he said.
“You’ve got to put your hand up and we all make mistakes, from players to coaches. The good thing about the group is they accept the discussion.
“At halftime, it could have gone two ways but thankfully it went the way we wanted. “We said let’s reset and throw caution to the wind. You start to get the rub of the green. We kicked six goals in that third quarter to get back in front.
“In the last quarter, we were both looking for the time. Blokes were cramping everywhere.”
The Roos could be set to land another boost in coming weeks with big man Josh Hotchkin expected to return.
It gives Clark plenty to work with after Joshua Ksiazek was named best afield.
CRAIGIEBURN ON THE BOARD
Shane Jacobs’ Craigieburn picked up its first win of the season after overcoming a four-point deficit at the final break to overcome Roxburgh Park. Eagles skipper Jamie Gorgievski led from the front with a best on ground display while recruits Ben Radford and Tighe O’Brien also impressed. One of the EDFL’s leading young guns, Luke Smith, was best afield for the Magpies in the loss.
SHOULD HILLSIDE BE WORRIED?
Mark Micklethwait has his first win on the board as West Coburg coach after the Burgers secured a 28-point win over Hillside. It was a bounce back performance after going down to Avondale Heights in the season opener. Damian Galofaro was impressive with three goals while Mitchell Williams (who crossed from Blackburn) showed promising signs in his second game. Hillside has fallen to 0-2 and next faces St Albans on Good Friday. Considered a premiership contender, the alarm bells could start ringing.
TIME TO TAKE NOTICE OF TAYLORS LAKES
Steve Burns’ Taylors Lakes are 2-0 on their Division 1 return and it’s on the back of two comprehensive performances after beating Moonee Valley by 47 points. The returning Marc Lock has been brilliant in the opening two games and was best afield on Saturday. The Jacks, Burns and Gusman, were dynamic inside forward 50 with seven goals between them. Wins have come against Roxburgh Park and the Fog but perhaps we’ll get a better indication of where they sit in the next month. The Lions will face Avondale Heights, St Albans, Craigieburn and Oak Park.
ECKEL IS AN EMERGING FORCE
Tom Eckel arrived at St Albans with a strong reputation and he’s already delivering on his promise. He kicked three goals and was named among the best for a second straight week. The Saints ran out 39-point winners over Tullamarine as Patrick Taban, who has returned to the club this season, booted five goals in a best on ground display.
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