Pascoe Vale into EDFL Premier Division semi-final with win over Strathmore

Pascoe Vale dominated Strathmore to set up a semi-final date with Keilor with a grand final berth on the line but coach Leigh Tudor has dismissed any thought of a “free hit”.

Adam Figliola celebrates a goal for Pascoe Vale. Picture: Andy Brownbill

There’s no such thing as a free hit for Pascoe Vale coach Leigh Tudor.

The Panthers’ second finals win since 2011 on Saturday set up a blockbuster major semi-final clash with defending premier Keilor.

The dominant 64-point victory over Strathmore at Greenvale Reserve, avenges two heavy preliminary final losses in 2022 and 2023, and has the club one win away from a first ever EDFL Premier Division grand final appearance.

Tudor said it was an exciting opportunity for his players.

“They’ve been the yardstick but we go in in form,” Tudor said.

Strathmore’s Liam Cavanagh and Carled El Khodr of Pascoe Vale fly for the ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“The club’s in a good spot and the boys are really keen, they’re excited about challenging Keilor.

“It’s funny, a lot of people have said to me we’ve got a free kick at Keilor this week.

“We’re not looking at it that way, we’re looking at it as an opportunity to advance into a grand final.

“We’ve got two more training sessions to make sure we plan thoroughly and hopefully we can execute on the day.”

While wind played havoc across Melbourne grounds, Pascoe Vale seemed to thrive in the 16.13 (109) to 6.9 (45) triumph.

The Panthers outscored Strathmore by 14 points kicking into the wind and punished last year’s grand finalist with it at their back, booting 10 majors to three.

Adam Figliola kicked a match-high three goals, while best-on-ground Ben Allan, Carled El Khodr, Rhys Ritchie, Ahmed Saad and Matthew Watson all scored two as the attacked shared the spoils.

Tudor was particularly happy with his team’s adaptation to the conditions.

Rhys Ritchie tries to escape the tackle. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“The first quarter, it was a four or five goal wind, but we didn’t score as much as we would have liked, Strathmore were very good,” he said.

“We managed to hold them up in the second and then had an outstanding third quarter and kicked four goals into the wind in the fourth, which was outstanding from the boys.

“It was a really tactical game (into the wind).

“There were lots of little things we played around with during the game but the boys understood what we wanted and executed the gameplan really well.”

Allan was prolific in the win, while Sebastian Carta, El Khodr, Jared Eckersley, Paul Ahern and Figliola also impressed.

“Ben was inside mid, really hard at the contest, his pressure was enormous and he used the ball well,” Tudor said.

“He really set us up in the first half and a couple of our young boys, Seb Carta and Carled El Khodr, were fantastic – 17 and 18-year-old boys – they really stepped up in the heat of a final.”

For Strathmore, Cooper West was best afield, Athan Tsialtas, Ryan Brodie and Brock Eggletstone stood tall.

WRAP: FLAG DROUGHTS END, GRAND FINAL TICKET BOOKED

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COUGARS: EX-AFL STAR TAKES EAST KEILOR HOT SEAT

Pascoe Vale’s handed Keilor one of its few defeats in the past three years, claiming the 2022 elimination semi-final by 17 points.

However, the Blues have easily accounted for their premiership rival this season with a 133-point demolition at Raeburn Reserve in Round 6 before a 41-point win at Joe Brown Oval in Round 13.

Tudor expects Daman Aujla and Josh Iacobaccio to be available for selection.

Strathmore will look to keep its season alive when it faces Greenvale in the minor semi-final on Sunday following the Jets’ 74-point thrashing of Aberfeldie.