EDFL scores: Mark Sabatino boots 18 goals in Hadfield’s 367-point win

One of Hadfield’s key recruits produced a standout display as his team scored a crushing 367-point win in EDFL Division 2.

Mark Sabatino booted 18 goals in Hadfield’s victory. Picture: Supplied

Mark Sabatino feasted on a free-flowing supply from the midfield as Hadfield swept aside Jacana by a whopping 367 points on Saturday.

Sabatino, who returned to the Hawks before the 2020 campaign was canned, bagged 18 goals in his side’s lopsided Essendon District Football League Division 2 victory.

It was all one-way traffic at Martin Reserve as Hadfield piled on 12, 18, 11 and 16 majors in each quarter of the 57.27 (369) to 0.2 (2) demolition job.

Sabatino booted 33 goals from 13 games for Northern Saints two years ago with a best return of six against Keilor Park.

The career-best haul took his 2021 season tally to 22 goals from three outings.

“He had a bit of day out,” Hawks coach Brett Pitts said.

“He’s been playing a fair bit forward for us this year and actually a little bit through the midfield as well.

“We obviously left him forward on the weekend and he was able to capitalise, which is great.

“He’s definitely really crafty around the goals. He’s a very handy pick up.”

Hadfield coach Brett Pitts. Picture: Jamie Morey

Stephen Parsons and Trent Gleisner both bagged six for the winners, while Heath Mckerchar, Alex Rowe and Zac Polizzi finished with five each.

The Jags, who have returned from recess this season, are on the bottom of the ladder with a percentage of 1.71.

They will suffer more thumpings in coming weeks as they undertake a long rebuilding phase, but it is not a situation foreign to Hadfield, which won just three games from 2016-2018.

“We’re definitely not a footy club, from where we’ve been over the past few years, that can go into any game complacent,” Pitts said.

“I really challenged the guys and said I wanted us to be ruthless.

“We’ve been on the end of a few hidings ourselves. To go out there and fully maximise it on the day was really pleasing.”

The Hawks defeated East Sunbury in Round 1 before going down to the Saints in Round 2.

Pitts said the mixed start had not been unexpected given the club’s new-look senior side, while his players are also tackling a return to competitive games after a busy practice match phase.

“We’re still a pretty new group and there’s a fair bit of jelling and what not to happen over the next weeks before we play our best footy, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction,” he said.

Hadfield will look to regain Steve Golding Donovan Pell and Harley Ferguson in coming weeks.

It will tackle Keilor Park away from home this weekend.