EDFL scores: Matt Watson stars with four goals for Pascoe Vale
Ex-AFL player Matt Watson produced a best-afield performance as the Panthers resumed their EDFL Premier Division campaign with an impressive win over Greenvale.
Essendon
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Pascoe Vale had almost a month to process the 77-point hammering it copped from ladder-leader Strathmore in Round 7.
The Panthers rebounded when the Essendon District Football League Premier Division season resumed on Saturday, showing they remain a formidable side with a clinical display Raeburn Reserve.
Other than conceding three goals when the contest was decided in the last term, the home team was in control of its clash against Greenvale as it prevailed by 34 points, 11.15 (81) to 6.11 (47).
The success improved Pascoe Vale’s record to 5-3 and lifted it into the top four with a crucial clash against Maribyrnong Park remaining before the halfway mark of the home-and-away campaign.
“It was a bit of an unknown, returning, and we spoke about that before the game,” Panthers coach Digby Morrell said.
“Guys were super keen to return and play, so we just concentrated on getting the really simple things done well, and the boys did a great job of that and obviously bounced back from a really disappointing performance against Strathmore.
“But that’s a month ago now, so it’s easy to just move on.
“I thought our whole back six held up really well. Obviously to hold a team to three goals (in three quarters) was excellent in good conditions.
“I thought our midfield really controlled the day, so that gave us a good springboard. It was a genuine effort across the board.”
Spearhead Matt Watson again starred for Pascoe Vale, claiming best-on-ground honours after a game-high four goals.
The former Carlton player is nine majors clear at the top of the goalkicking charts with 32 from eight outings and has only been held to less than three goals once in 2021.
“He probably had seven or eight shots on goal and he’s just got to continue to work on his conversion,” Morrell said.
“Teams put a lot of time and effort into him, but he still continues to attract the ball.
“He gave us a great target forward of the ball and not necessarily just inside 50, but he worked up the ground. He gets it done week in, week out, which is great.
“We think we’ve got some other really dangerous forwards who haven’t been able to cash in this year. It’s just about us figuring out what that balance is like.”
Liam Forbes and Aaron Hilton contributed two goals apiece for the winners, while Nick Parthenopoulos, Matt Stillman, Liam Ogden and Julian Hemala were influential.
Big men Michael Sikora and Giles Guest also took the field together for the first time this season.
Greenvale, which sits seventh at 3-5, was well-served by Lachlan Hall, Sam Zumbo and Josh Smith.
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