EDFL: Where Doutta Stars growth has come from

As one of the youngest teams in the EDFL, Essendon Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast is optimistic about the future but continues to urge patience. His verdict on what has improved.

Liam Ryan of Essendon Doutta Stars. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Essendon Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast has seen plenty of growth from his side but he knows there is so much more to come.

As one of the youngest teams in the EDFL’s Premier Division, Prendergast says his playing group is “learning on the job”.

The Stars are one game outside of the top-five after securing a vital 21-point win over Pascoe Vale to stay in the finals hunt.

“We’re still in that phase of developing our game plan and where we want to go as a team,” Prendergast said.

“Because you’re so competitive you want to be winning games but there are going to be challenges along the way. This group has been together for about 25 to 30 games and everybody in the team still has natural improvement in them.

“No bloke is over 30. We’re still playing 18 and 19-year-old kids, we know it’s going to come and it’s about being patient. We’ve had a real focus on scoring this year and in the last couple of games it has been a struggle against the top teams, but it’s a great opportunity to learn.”

A key area of the game Prendergast is looking to see further development is consistency.

“It’s been a struggle in game sometimes,” he said.

“We were down by about 50 points against Deer Park and managed to hit the front in the last quarter. Against Aberfeldie we were down about 40 and really closed the gap.

“The weekend was a real four-quarter performance and something we’ve been looking for. We’re now competing legitimately against the top teams in the competition, not just for periods of quarters but longer in games.”

Essendon Doutta Stars coach Barry Prendergast. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Doutta Stars have been able to build a greater midfield depth this season with several key figures missing through injury and unavailability at different times.

Julian Callegari has only played two games, Michael Kiraly has featured in five and Angus Murray has missed a large part of the season.

“Those guys were among our starting midfield last year,” Prendergast said.

“Ben Thomson and Daniel Romero have had some good opportunities in there and will give us more options going forward.”

One player who has enjoyed an impressive season has been Bailey Ryan who has kicked 29 goals in 10 games, to sit fourth in the competitions.

“He’s made significant improvements to areas of his game,” Prendergast said.

“He hits the scoreboard obviously but it’s what else he’s able to do. He’s been with us a couple of years now and some of the areas which might have been exposed after stepping up from the lower grades are areas he has gone to work on and really improved.”

Prendergast’s side will now take on Aberfeldie away from home as they look to keep their finals hopes on track.

“We needed the win (against Pascoe Vale),” he said.

“We’ll go to Aberfeldie with a bit of confidence. We won there last year and know our best footy is going to be good enough to challenge them.”

ABERS WIN A THRILLER

Aberfeldie came out on top against Maribyrnong Park by seven points in a thrilling contest. Northern Bullants gun Jean-Luc Velissaris played his second game of the season for Abers and booted four goals in a best on ground performance. Tom Pound was along among the better players.

MOVEMENT AT THE TOP

Avondale Heights underlined its premiership ambitions in Division 1 with a 26-point win over West Coburg who entered the weekend as the ladder leader. Off-season recruit Colm Brennan continued his impressive season with a best on ground display. Makuei Andrew and Nathan Foster kicked three goals apiece.

FOG ON THE CUSP OF THE FIVE

Moonee Valley now sits just outside the Division 1 top-five after a four-point win over Tullamarine. The Fog have now won four of their last five games and have only been let down by their lower percentage. Callum Clinnick continued his brilliant form on the weekend with a best on ground display while Luke Denny and Bevan Newell have found their best in recent weeks.

HALLIWELL’S STUNNING YEAR CONTINUES

Sunbury Kangaroos big man Dean Halliwell is enjoying a fine season with seven mentions in his side’s best from 10 games. He was best afield in the 30-point win over Burnside Heights on the weekend as the Roos moved to 5-5 and a game outside the finals race.