EFL 2018: Vermont secures Division 1 minor premiership after a 13-point win over South Croydon

A five-goal haul from former SANFL spearhead Andrew Ainger helped Vermont to a 13-point win over South Croydon as the Eagles secured their third minor premiership in as many years.

ANDREW Ainger was high on Vermont’s recruiting wishlist over the summer.

After consecutive grand final defeats, the Eagles wanted to add more weapons to their forward line.

Former SANFL star Ainger fitted the bill after 203 goals in a 103-game state league career with Woodville-West Torrens.

WILD WEATHER HITS LOCAL FOOTY

SUBURBAN STAR SET TO APPEAL LIFE BAN

DONCASTER EAST MOVES CLOSER TO GLORY

And he showed why Vermont wanted his signature with a five-goal haul to give the Eagles a 13-point win over South Croydon on Saturday.

“He started the season really strongly, he’s had some injuries as well just as he’s got going but hopefully now we get some continuity with him and he can prove to be quite a handful when he is at his best,” Vermont coach Harmit Singh said of Ainger.

“I’m having a look at the numbers and I think generally our mids were fantastic on the day and I think the inside 50 count, there was significant difference there — I think we were plus-14 or 15 inside 50s.

“He definitely gave us some great aerial power and his ability to half contests was significant on the day, but was really pleased with the way we had great buy-in from our players to execute the way we wanted to play.”

Vermont coach Harmit Singh. Picture: Davis Harrigan

In a high-scoring contest in conditions that brought heavy rain and wind at Terrara Rd, the Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the last term to take a six-point lead.

But Ainger responded to put Vermont back in front before the home side finished with a 13.16 (94) to 12.9 (81) victory, securing the Eastern Football League Division 1 minor premiership for a third consecutive season.

South Croydon will likely face Doncaster in the qualifying final, with the winner advancing to face the Eagles in the second week of finals.

LIONS SURVIVE COMEBACK FROM FALCONS

FALCONS CONSIGNED TO CUTTHROAT FINAL

“The result was obviously important but it was just more the method behind it and I felt the past three weeks, we’ve gone 82 tackles, 92 tackles last weekend against North (Ringwood) and 70-plus on Saturday,” Singh said.

“Offensively we’ve got some really good players and it’s been great to see their defensive mindset the past three weeks.”

Former Hawthorn rookie Tom Schneider again led Vermont’s midfield, listed in the best players for a 12th time this season from 17 games.

Jake Tucker gets hands to the ball over Tom Schneider. Picture: Andy Brownbill

With injuries troubling the Eagles’ season, Schnieder’s campaign won high praise from Singh.

“I’d probably single out Tom Schneider as one that has really held our midfield strong the last six, seven, eight weeks,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of different players go through there and he just keeps playing, he’s grown as a leader and has been really selfless.

“A 50-50 ball, you can trust him just to continually get it done like he did on Saturday and his ability to defend now has got a lot stronger and he’s been really important for us.”

Interleague representatives Adam Parker, Cameron Purdy and Tom Maas were welcome returns alongside Kyle Staples and Andrew Pretto in a sign Vermont is getting close to full strength.

Captain Lachie Johns returned through the reserves for his first game since Round 5 and will “more than likely” spend another week in the seconds as he overcomes a syndesmosis injury in his ankle, while Cam Howat, Luke McComb and Joey Fisher are also yet to comeback.