EDFL scores: Pascoe Vale scores crushing 92-point win over Glenroy
The EDFL Premier Division club boasts a dangerous one-two punch in the forward half and plenty of depth, as coach Digby Morrell explains.
Essendon
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Pascoe Vale had won one of four first quarters in 2021 entering Saturday’s clash against Glenroy.
But the Panthers put the early-game slumbers behind them and swiftly asserted their authority in the Essendon District Football League Premier Division clash, piling on 13 scores to one in the opening 30 minutes, with only inaccuracy preventing their advantage from being much more than 32 points.
The blitz set the platform for a crushing victory as Digby Morrell’s side prevailed by 92 points, 19.18 (132) to 6.4 (40), at Sewell Reserve to improve its win-loss record to 3-2.
“We’ve started pretty poorly in the first month of footy and we just changed a few things up and tried to be more active in our warm-up, and the results were really pleasing apart from not putting them through the big sticks,” Morrell said.
“Our intent around the ball was excellent. I thought we pressured Glenroy every time they touched the ball and that meant a lot of turnovers, which gave us some good ball to rebound on.
“We’ve been tweaking a few things with our ball use and it was pleasing to see us continue to do that. Our forwards obviously then got plenty of chances.”
Brad Inglis the beneficiary of Pascoe Vale’s dominance with a career-best eight-goal haul, Morrell praising the in-form forward for his pressure in completing “three or four really great run-down tackles”.
Spearhead Matt Watson bagged five, Jacob Polizzi three and Damandeep Aujla two, the visitors sending through 10 goals to two after the main break.
The Panthers have a dangerous one-two punch inside the attacking 50m arc, with Watson topping the competition’s goalkicking charts with 23 majors, while Inglis is fifth with 14.
“We’re still trying to work out what our best forward balance is … but both of those guys (Inglis and Watson) have had pleasing starts to the year,” Morrell said.
“We think we’ve got a nice mix. Forward of the ball we’re pretty happy.”
Morrell said the likes of Liam Ogden, Errol McConnell and Dean Soncin set the tone in the middle, while big man Michael Sikora also impressed.
Pascoe Vale has suffered close defeats to 2019 grand finalists Keilor and Aberfeldie this season and Morrell said the Panthers were a superior side to the one that was eliminated in the opening week of finals two years ago.
He pointed to the additions of Nicholas Parthenopoulos, Nick Linton and Ben McDonell in defence, while they have gained a quality ruckman in ex-VFL player Sikora.
The club is also well-stocked with depth, with Michael Ross, Lachlan Stredwick, Corey Le Favi and Liam Forbes among those sidelined.
“We think there’s a fair bit of upside still to come,” Morrell said.
“We’ve got a lot of competition for spots and our guys are really fighting for spots.
“We’ve improved from 2019. Both the Abers and Keilor games, we had our opportunities to win, so the group will learn a lot from that.
“But those good sides had the win and that’s where we’re pushing to be.
“We’re pretty happy with how we’re tracking along.”
Pascoe Vale will next face Essendon Doutta Stars at Raeburn Reserve on Saturday.
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