EDFL scores: Maribyrnong Park beats Aberfeldie for first time since 2016

The young Lions defied all the odds to end a seven-match losing run against Premier Division powerhouse Aberfeldie.

Chris Prowse played a big role in Maribyrnong Park’s upset win. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Maribyrnong Park was not expected to snap its run of outs against Aberfeldie on Saturday.

Like most clubs, the Lions have had a losing record against the Essendon District Football League powerhouse in recent years, suffering seven consecutive defeats.

But Brad Swain’s young side defied all odds to claim a memorable two-point victory in their Premier Division clash at Monk Oval.

Maribyrnong Park’s 13.11 (89) to 12.15 (87) triumph marked its first win over its biggest rival in more than five years, the last coming at Clifton Park in the opening round of the 2016 campaign.

“Most of our senior team has never beaten Aberfeldie,” Swain said.

“For them it was a huge deal and reward for their discipline and effort.

“It was a wonderful day for the footy club and a real festival-like atmosphere with the (good) weather and six games of footy on our home deck.

“To get the win over a quality side like Aberfeldie with the experience across the ground they’ve got, it was really pleasing.”

Little separated the pair all day, with the Lions holding a five-point lead at the first break before Abers established a four-point advantage at halftime.

Maribyrnong Park booted four goals to two in the third stanza to gain a 10-point lead at the final change and held its nerve.

Swain said his side’s effective ball use proved crucial against an Aberfeldie outfit which has made a habit of capitalising on turnovers.

“We knew our ball use would have to be at a really high level and our defensive pressure,” he said.

“We were able to bring that for most of the day and it went a long way to making it a really good contest.”

Swain heaped praise on Chris and Nick Prowse, who performed admirably against former VFL gun Nick Meese.

“They were able to at least break even most of the time, which is quite an achievement against the big fellow,” he said.

Alex Barba, Ismail Moussa, Jonah Horo were other key contributors.

The fourth-ranked Lions are one of four teams with a 3-1 record.

Their only defeat came against Avondale Heights, which toppled 2019 premier Keilor in Round 4.

“We’re improving. We’re trying to get better with every training session and every match, and so far we’re seeing the fruit of that,” said Swain, who is in his first season at the helm.

“That’s the attitude we’ll continue to bring.”

Maribyrnong Park will host ladder-leader Strathmore this weekend.