EDFL scores: Maribyrnong Park’s defensive efforts set up win over Greenvale

Coach Brad Swain gives his verdict on the Lions’ crucial victory and discusses their ‘special’ culture after recruits from both sides fired on Saturday.

Maribyrnong Park skipper Scott Clarke led by example. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A deference to defence set the platform for Maribyrnong Park’s crucial victory over Greenvale in Essendon District Football League Premier Division on Saturday.

While the Lions’ youthful exuberance and speed were on display, first-year coach Brad Swain was most pleased with his hard-working side’s ability to halt the visitors’ possession chains.

Maribyrnong Park conceded four goals to one in the final half-hour but prevailed by seven points, 12.14 (86) to 11.13 (79), to improve its record to 4-3.

While the final margin was slender, the home team was never seriously threatened in the second half and appeared on top for most of the afternoon.

“I thought our defensive intent for the first three quarters was super,” Swain said.

“Greenvale are a really good side and they weren’t able to move the ball in the way that they normally do for the first three quarters.”

The Lions rebounded from back-to-back defeats to contenders Strathmore (43 points) and Keilor (80 points), restricted to just three majors against Mick McGuane’s Blues.

But that Round 6 result was an aberration in what has been an encouraging 2021 campaign.

“Keilor has lost one game in two seasons for a reason – they’re a very good football team,” Swain said.

“But there’s no doubt we weren’t happy with our effort last week, particularly in offence, and Keilor really showed us up.

“Back on our home deck … it was important we brought our defensive intent right from the word go and we were able to do that and also hit the scoreboard.

“There’s no such thing as an easy game in this competition, but we’ve just played Aberfeldie, Strathmore, Keilor and Greenvale, four sides that we rate as sides at the top half of the ladder.

“For us to find our way through that four weeks at 2-2, we’re pretty pleased.”

With both teams rolling out line-ups full of fresh faces, Maribyrnong Park piled on 11 scores to two with the breeze to establish a 24-point quarter-time advantage.

That lead was reduced to 11 points at the main break before the Lions went to three-quarter-time with a five-goal buffer.

For all of Greenvale’s fight, it proved a sufficient safety net as the Jets slipped to 3-4.

Recruit Tom Baravi was the standout for the winners in the middle, while skipper Scott Clarke and Jordan Davey produced strong performances in defence.

Jake Byrush, Josh Cole and Kyle Baker were also impressive.

Big-bodied midfielder Baravi has been named in the best three times this season after last taking the field for Maribyrnong Park in 2017.

“He’s had a good season so far,” Swain said.

“He’s come back to the club this year, seems to be really enjoying it and is getting a bit of the ball.

“Our other mids play better around him too.”

The Lions also stretched their opponent’s defence, with Nick Prowse bagging three goals and Brandon Ryan also causing headaches.

Brandon Ryan is one of the Lions’ key talls. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“You had someone like (star Greenvale backman) Sam Zumbo playing on Brandon Ryan, who’s got about a foot on him,” Swain said.

“Obviously it’s two very different players trying to compete there. One might catch it in the air and the other might rebound and score at the other end.

“A very strange match up, but I reckon they probably broke even at the end of the day.”

Tyson Young starred with six goals for Greenvale, including three in the second term, to take his season tally to 21 from seven games.

Zumbo, Nick Maric and Anthony Caligiuri were also noteworthy contributors.

The Lions, meanwhile, have had plenty of change in recent years, fielding five debutants in Round 1, and finished sixth with seven wins in 2019.

But Swain said there was an “amazing atmosphere” at the club as they look to climb the ladder.

“The culture we are building is really special,” he said.

“It’s not just about wins and losses on a Saturday necessarily, but it’s about a whole lot more than that.

“Our boys are so committed and contributing to that in every session, every week.”