Edi-Asp makes strong start to the season and will only get better, coach says

STRENGTHENED by a batch of talented recruits, Edithvale-Aspendale made an early statement with an impressive 33-point win over last season’s grand finalists Bonbeach on Good Friday.

Edi-Asp captain Steve Mannix was among the Eagles’ best players in their win over Bonbeach on Good Friday. Picture: Chris Eastman

STRENGTHENED by a batch of talented recruits, Edithvale-Aspendale made an early statement with an impressive 33-point win over last season’s grand finalists Bonbeach on Good Friday.

The Eagles kicked the first five goals of the game to set up their 15.9 (99) to 10.6 (66) win in the MPNFL Division 1 season opener at Bonbeach.

While Edi-Asp’s engine room of Matt Clark, Steve Mannix, and Brad Tagg led from the front with a physical display around the ball, the Eagles’ newcomers, including Lachie Batten (three goals) and Sam Monaghan (two), made their presence felt.

Edi-Asp coach Graeme Yeats said the recruits would only make the Eagles stronger.

“I think they’ll take a little while, they might take four or five games to find their feet,’’ he said. “Sam Monaghan, Lachie Batten, Aaron Johns, Tim Kelly and Liam Hulett are all going to be very good players for us so we’re excited by that. But we’ve got some very good young guys who are right on the cusp of playing senior footy and we’ll continue to work to get the right mix.

“We think we’ve got the right personnel, we’ve just got to make it gel on game day.’’

Edi-Asp’s side is set to be bolstered further in coming weeks by ruckman Chris Wylie and another recruit Brett Dore.

Edi-Asp coach Graeme Yeats.

Bonbeach’s loss was compounded by a serious injury to vice-captain and 100-gamer Owen Hulett, who sustained a broken nose, fractured cheekbone and fractured eye socket in an accidental head clash with teammate Gary Carpenter 10 minutes into the game.

Bonbeach coach Steve Hughes was disappointed with his side’s first-up showing.

“We were a long way off the way we want to play,’’ he said.

“I think the game was really heavily on Edithvale’s terms, not ours. And the brand we’ve been working on pretty much for four years just wasn’t there. We played a game that was really foreign to us. So, back to the drawing board.’’

In other round one action, reigning premiers Frankston YCW thrashed newcomer Sorrento 18.10 (118) to 7.13 (55) in the inaugural battle for the Toe Punt Shield on Easter Sunday. Kyle Hutchison was best on ground.

Mt Eliza, with ex-Collingwood ruckman Mitch McCarthy impressing, edged Jarrad Grant’s Frankston Bombers by two points, 12.8 (80) to 11.12 (78), on Good Friday.

Former South Fremantle defender Matt Gundry was best-on-ground for Seaford in its five-point win over Pines on Saturday and Rosebud upset Mornington by 10 points, 12.5 (77) to 9.13 (67).

Round 2: Saturday: Mornington v Frankston Bombers, Sorrento v Mt Eliza, Rosebud v Bonbeach, Seaford v Frankston YCW. Sunday: Edi-Asp v Pines.