EFL 2018: Blackburn records its seventh win of the season after an upset 10-point victory over Vermont

BLACKBURN has inflicted consecutive losses on Vermont for the first time in nearly four years after the Burners recorded a season-defining 10-point win.

Xavier Murphy was in Blackburn’s best players on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

BLACKBURN has inflicted consecutive losses on Vermont for the first time in nearly four years after the Burners recorded a season-defining 10-point win on Saturday.

Blackburn trailed by 12 points at the first change but laid the platform for the victory with six goals to two in the second term to go to halftime with a 17-point advantage.

While they were wayward in front of goal, kicking 3.8 in the second half after booting 7.11 in the first half, the Burners did enough to keep Vermont at arm’s length after the main break to record a 10.19 (79) to 10.9 (69) win.

Brendan Allen said his side’s inaccuracy kept Vermont in the contest.

“Essentially, the score flattered them, the amount of inside 50s and scoring shots we had, we should have won by about eight goals,” Allen said.

Blackburn coach Brendan Allen calls the shots. Picture: Steve Tanner

“We had five or six set shots that we should have nailed but didn’t — it’s the pressure of the game, greasy conditions — but we probably should have won by a lot more.

“It probably got a little bit tight in the last quarter because of our bad kicking I’d say.”

Allen was full of praise for his side’s younger brigade, with Marcus Young, Lake Tink, Tom Maher, Jordan Harte, Liam Patterson and James Hanley all providing a glimpse of the future.

“There would have been seven or eight guys under the age of 20 out there,” he said.

“The future is bright but it gives you great confidence moving forward that these guys aren’t spooked by the big occasion and they can get the job done.

“It is exciting the depth we have with our younger players. The ability to step up was fantastic.”

But the victory was not enough to push Blackburn back into the top five, remaining in sixth on the Division 1 ladder due to an inferior percentage with a 7-4 record.

It was the first time Vermont suffered back-to-back losses since the 2014 finals series, when it failed to make the season decider after winning the qualifying final.

The Burners hope to regain Julian Soccio and Ben Daniher from injury in the next fortnight, while Anthony Fagan will be available from Richmond VFL duties next weekend.