EDFL scores: Aberfeldie ends Strathmore’s winning run in Premier Division

The EDFL powerhouse’s established stars and emerging talent combined to topple the in-form Mores, as three-time premiership coach Adam Potter explains.

Stefan Rasinac (left) has been influential for Aberfeldie in 2021. Picture: Hamish Blair

Aberfeldie inflicted Strathmore’s first defeat since Good Friday as two of the heavyweights in Essendon District Football League Premier Division produced a mouth-watering encounter on Saturday.

Adam Potter’s side conceded five goals to two in the final half-hour, but prevailed by three points, 11.15 (81) to 12.6 (78), in a re-match of the 2019 preliminary final.

It means the flag contenders both enter the halfway mark at 7-2, with the Mores occupying second spot and Abers sitting third.

Aberfeldie led at each change at Lebanon Reserve and booted 4.7 to 3.0 in the third term, with its inaccuracy in front of goal keeping the contest alive until the dying stages.

“They’re a good side, and good sides always come back at you,” three-time premiership coach Potter said of the Mores.

“I thought we had plenty of opportunities in that third quarter to put a bit more pressure on. The ground was cut up a bit and it was hard to score at times, but we put enough pressure on to get the right result, which was great for our younger group.

“They’ve been the benchmark I think throughout the year. Offensively they’re the best side in the competition and defensively as well.

“To go to their home ground and get that win was a really pleasing result for our boys.”

Potter said Abers’ ability to gain the upper hand in the clearances proved decisive.

He heaped praise on former VFL star Nick Meese for an “amazing year” in the ruck, while Stefan Rasinac and Victor Carboni have shouldered more workload in the middle after some key departures.

“I need to give them a lot of credit,” Potter said of the emerging midfield duo.

“Both of them have really taken to the opportunity with a few guys from 2019 not there in (Luke) Blackwell, Caleb Hislop and (Jaryd) Cachia. I think they’ve really stepped up playing as primary mids.

“Our contested ball work in particular meant we had the ball in our front half a lot more than the opposition in the first three quarters and our clearance work has been first-class throughout the year.”

Luke Davis continued his standout season by restricting Athan Tsialtas to one major, while Josh Toy was also impressive in defence.

“We’ve obviously swung Ryan Allan to the other end of the ground this year, and Luke has stepped into that role seamlessly and is accepting those challenges week in, week out,” Potter said.

Allan bagged three goals to take his season tally to 21 from eight outings.

Aberfeldie, which claimed the ultimate prize in 2015, 2017 and 2018, remains one of the most formidable teams in the top flight despite losing several key players.

The likes of Anthony Horomidis, Harry Fry, Ben Smokrovic,

Sam Medland, Clay Mullins, Aaron Stone and Jack Middleton form the nucleus of the next generation of talent.

“We’ve just got a group of young players who are really hungry, really invested, alongside some of those mainstays,” Potter said.

“That mix of experience and youth is working really well.”

Abers will next host Greenvale in Round 10.