Why Maribyrnong Park is now the EDFL’s team to beat

Maribyrnong Park couldn’t have produced a bigger premiership statement in the last fortnight, dismantling two fellow contenders. It comes down to perfecting timing, position changes and a key “luxury”.

Brodie Romensky celebrates a goal. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Maribyrnong Park knew it had an opportunity to make a statement in the last three weeks of the home-and-away season.

The fixture had Brodie Holland’s side set up to face the other top-four sides.

Two games down and the Lions have arguably stormed into EDFL Division 1 premiership favouritism.

First they dismantled St Albans by 86 points before brushing aside West Coburg 18.12 (120) to 5.11 (41) on Saturday afternoon.

Next they’ll face Hillside in a game which could decide top spot and the week off with the Lions, Sharks and Burgers all locked at 13-2.

Donnacadh Cleary sprints for his life. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“It couldn’t have worked out any better,” Holland said of his side’s draw to finish the season.

“These are the types of games you want to be playing heading to the finals series and it doesn’t get any easier. If we are fortunate enough to come out on top we’re probably going to need the week off.

“Three really hard games of footy are going to hold us in good stead.”

Holland’s side have found their best form in the last month, although their winning run extends beyond then.

In recent weeks, the Lions have changed “a few things” with their structure including the move of Sean Hetherington to half back.

Holland believes he has been his side’s best player in that time.

“We’ve got the luxury of having quality and leadership across every line,” he said.

“I feel like we’re really even across the entire 22. If a side is able to get on top of us in one area of the ground, we’re going to always back ourselves in to beat them in another area.

Brodie Romensky handballs. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“Alex Barba and Matt Gaul were really strong across four quarters on the weekend. James Kayrooz ha continued to kick goals and I thought Scott Clarke was really strong down back.

“We had an even spread of goalkickers, which has been one of the biggest strengths of our game.”

Despite walking away convincing winners on the weekend, Holland isn’t reading too much into the result.

“We know finals will be a different game,” he said.

“They were missing several of their better players who can come in and make a difference. I thought we were really clean out of stoppage and you’re not going to have that every time.”