EDFL scores: Glenroy defeats Essendon Doutta Stars in Premier Division

With six key players sidelined, the Roys scored their third win of the EDFL Premier Division season on Saturday. Coach Ross Terranova gives his verdict on the triumph.

Lachlan Ronaldson starred in Glenroy’s victory. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Glenroy scored its second win over Essendon Doutta Stars in 2021 on the back of an impressive final-term display on Saturday.

The Roys recorded their third win of the Essendon District Football League Premier Division campaign by 17 points, leaving them in eighth position after 11 rounds.

The home team held a five-point advantage at the last change before a four-goal-to-two burst in the final half-hour secured a 13.11 (89) to 9.18 (72) victory.

“It was a good game of footy and a good standard,” Glenroy coach Ross Terranova said.

“It was a bit of an arm-wrestle, so it was good (to win) because we were challenged and the boys responded.

“Our delivery inside forward 50 helped and our backline was a lot tighter in that last quarter than what it had been the previous three quarters, and we were able to transition from defensive 50 through to corridor and then to our forwards.

“We got some clean ball going inside forward 50 and some goals from 20m out, so it set us up.

“Credit goes to the group. It was a really good effort to tough it out and win the game under the circumstances of having so many players out. There’s half a dozen players who can still come into the side, so it’s a positive.”

Glenroy coach Ross Terranova. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Roys were without Josh Ksiazek, Zach Smith, Daniel Ferraro, Jayden Borg, Mitch Mills and Austin Hogan, who all missed because of injury.

Lachlan Ronaldson stood tall in their absence, delivering a best-afield display in the ruck and across centre half-forward as he contributed two goals.

Daniel Riley and Jackson McDonald fired in the midfield, while the emerging Will Humphreys again shone in defence.

Aaron Kite kicked a game-high four majors, while Adam Del Busso and Reid Nilsson finished with two apiece.

Kite has 28 goals from nine outings this season and has hit the scoreboard in every match, his experience proving crucial for a young side.

“He’s been great,” Terranova said of Kite.

“He’s managed his body really well this year. We don’t try and overload him too much during the week, we just make sure he can get through training and does what he needs to do.

“He’s given us a focal point up forward … and he’s a beautiful kick at goal once he gets it.”

Terranova said his new-look Roys had “been a little bit up and down”.

But he said he had been encouraged by their improvement since they were on the receiving end of a 92-point hammering from Pascoe Vale in Round 5.

“Obviously we’ve brought in some new players and they haven’t played together at all, so it takes a little bit of time to jell and get used to how they play, their positioning and so forth,” Terranova said.

“In the end, it just comes with natural improvement as the group gets better.

“There’s some quality players, no doubt about it, (but) we just probably turn the ball over a bit too much and that hurts us. By doing that, good sides will punish you on rebound.

“But after the Pascoe Vale game, there’s certainly been some positives there and continual improvement. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Glenroy will next tackle ladder-leader Strathmore at Lebanon Reserve on Saturday.