EDFL: Taylors Lakes end 966-day winless drought against Northern Saints

Taylors Lakes captain Sonny Briz produced an “inspiring” performance as his side ended a 966-day wait for a win while several new faces established themselves as fan favourites.

“He bleeds blue and gold, the colours of our footy club”.

Those were the words Taylors Lakes coach Charles Cuzzupi used to describe his captain Sonny Briz on the back of an emotional EDFL Division 2 win over Northern Saints.

The Lions had waited 966 days for the moment they could sing the song again and it came on Saturday in their 12.19 (91) to 6.10 (46) victory.

Briz was nothing short of sensational as the Lions put all the difficulties and emotion of a winless 2021 behind them.

He was named best afield as Cuzzupi described his performance as “just amazing”.

“Sonny has stuck fat when he could have easily got up and left in the past couple of years,” he said.

“He was inspiring on the weekend because he probably saved six to eight goals with just his determination to win the ball.

“There’s almost a new lease of life about him with all of the younger guys around him. We’re averaging about 60 at training every night which has been fantastic.

“Sonny is a terrific leader for our club and Saturday was a special day for him and our playing group.”

Sonny Briz was outstanding for Taylors Lakes. Picture: Jamie Morey

Cuzzupi said there were plenty of positives to take away from Saturday’s result in particular the continued development of players who played senior footy in 2021.

They include Darby Lalor and Zachary Steinhoff-Pino who were both named among the Lions’ better players.

Meanwhile in another strong sign, new recruits Anthony Tiricola, Thomas Kosmak and Luke McCormack were also impressive.

Luke Nappi, previously of Keilor, kicked three goals.

“Guys like Darby are getting closer to 20-30 senior games and are getting better every week,” he said.

“They understand where we are at but they’re committed to helping our football club improve.

“We had nine new players in round one and three of those were playing their first senior game so it’s going to take some time for us to gel as a team.”

Darby Lalor won the plaudits of his coach. Photo: Hamish Blair

After the weekend’s results, the Lions find themselves sitting third on the ladder although Coburg Districts — who they lost to in round one — will play their second game of the year on Good Friday.

And Cuzzupi believes an evenly contested season awaits Taylors Lakes and its Division 2 opponents.

“We can’t underestimate anyone, no matter the level of footy we’re playing at,” he said.

“We still don’t know too much about some of our opposition and can only rely on the vision we have access to.

“Until then we’re going to keep taking each game as it comes.

“There are things we still need to work on because we aren’t where we want to be.”

In other Division 2 matches, Burnside Heights (72) shocked Hadfield (66) and Oak Park (309) beat Jacana (6).