EDFL scores: Moonee Valley star Braden Padmore’s outrageous stats

One of the leading players in EDFL Division 2 was a standout performer on Saturday, delivering a performance his coach rated as one of the best he’d witnessed.

Braden Padmore was a clear best afield for Moonee Valley. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Braden Padmore has delivered a long list of standout performances for Moonee Valley to establish himself as one of the leading players in Division 2.

The versatile tall has been named as a half forward (twice), back pocket and ruck rover in the Essendon District Football League Team of the Year the past four seasons.

But even by Padmore’s high standards, Saturday’s best-afield display against Keilor Park deserved plaudits.

Padmore racked up almost 40 possessions and booted seven goals in an extraordinary individual exhibition in the Fog’s 102-point home victory, 24.13 (157) to 8.7 (55).

“It’s one of the most dominant displays I’ve ever witnessed,” Moonee Valley coach Shanon Carroll said.

“He’s had 39 possessions, 10 marks, gone at 82 per cent efficiency and kicked seven goals as a midfield rotation.

“But that’s not to take away from the rest of the team that’s allowing him to do that as well.”

Moonee Valley coach Shanon Carroll (right). Picture: Andy Brownbill

Carroll pointed to the efforts of in-form midfielder Zac Di Giuseppe and ruckman Bevan Newell, who are both enjoying superb seasons.

Di Giuseppe has become one of the Fog’s most dangerous players, while Newell has showed his class since returning from Division 1 club Hillside.

“I’d sound a little bit biased, but I think he (Newell) is the best ruckman in our division, and he’s probably above our division to be honest, but he wanted to come home and play with his mates,” Carroll said.

“Zac’s definitely the one who’s stood up this year and had a bit of a breakout year so far. He’s 21 or 22 and he’s a starting midfielder now.

“I’m very blessed to be in charge of a side that has that next generation coming through where I don’t have to go out and (recruit) those guys.”

Forward, Stuart Taylor, who had not played for four years before the first bounce of the campaign, also bagged seven majors to lift his tally to 20 from three appearances.

“He’s one of those players that’s extremely hard to match up on. He’s not overly tall, but on Saturday for example he played as our No.1 full forward,” Carroll said.

“Has an unbelievable leap and he’s pretty quick off the mark … and can kick the ball 60m. It’s just phenomenal to watch.”

Moonee Valley is sitting pretty with a 6-0 record and percentage of 229.50.

Coburg Districts tested the Fog for a half before going down by 39 points in Round 2, while Oak Park pushed it in a seven-point contest in Round 4.

The pacesetter has hammered Burnside Heights (90 points), Northern Saints (142 points) and East Sunbury (59 points).

“It’s been very pleasing the last few weeks because we’ve had to make a lot of changes through unavailabilities and injuries,” Carroll said.

“The satisfying thing is guys have been able to step up, play their role … knowing the structures we have in place work.”

Carroll, who is in his third year at the helm, said his video analysis had revealed areas his team fell down against Coburg Districts and Oak Park.

But there is also tremendous upside, with the likes of Cory McGrath, Alex Gleeson and Kane Timmins to return after this weekend’s bye.

Rocky Ferraro played his first game for 2021 on Saturday, booting three goals in the reserves, while Jordan Faba is yet to take the field.

Wilson King has also arrived from VAFA outfit PEGS to bolster Moonee Valley’s on-ball division, leaving no shortage of selection headaches for Carroll and his coaching team.