EFL 2019: Blackburn and South Croydon produce another Eastern Football League classic

South Croydon and Blackburn have produced some top-shelf Eastern Football League clashes in recent years, and the Round 12 Premier Division fixture was no different.

Jake Hammond takes a mark for Blackburn. Picture: James Ross/AAP

What is it about these two sides?

Blackburn and South Croydon have developed one of the most respected rivalries in recent years in the Eastern Football League.

Their six previous meetings have been decided by 20 points or less, including last year’s extra-time preliminary final.

And Saturday’s Round 12 EFL Premier Division clash was another tension-filled contest to add to their recent catalogue of classics.

The game-high margin of 16 points was only achieved when Blackburn forward Matt Day kicked the final goal of the game after the siren, giving the Burners a 9.10 (64) to 5.18 (48) win at Morton Park.

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It was just the second time the margin tipped above two goals after South Croydon kicked the opening two majors.

The contest was hardly one of great skill, but what it lacked for in attractiveness was made up for in physicality.

Not for the first time this year, former Collingwood VFL ruckman Lachlan Howe was best afield for Blackburn.

In his first season at the Burners, Howe has been judged his side’s best player in four of his nine games.

Got to love the passion! @Blackburn_FC prevails by 16 points over South Croydon in an absorbing, low-scoring @footyefl clash at Morton Park. pic.twitter.com/YckK2zviXu

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) July 6, 2019

Howe has been the recruit of the season and it wouldn’t surprise to see his name high on the leaderboard on Chandler Medal night.

Day played a leading role in attack with three goals, while Nick Gray and Ben Daniher again starred in the midfield.

The victory improved Blackburn’s record to 9-3, moving three games clear of fifth-placed South Croydon.

When asked what the win meant for his side’s season, Burners coach Brendan Allen said it all-but assured them of a finals berth before he quipped: “I get to keep my job next week. You beauty.”

Blackburn and South Croydon have met in the penultimate game of the year the past two seasons and their ladder positions would suggest they could again meet in a cutthroat final.

Allen said there was a healthy respect between the two sides.

“We actually hate playing South Croydon because they’re good blokes,” he said.

“Both teams will be in the social rooms mingling, having beers after the game and that’s what it’s about. That’s community footy. Obviously some teams you don’t get along with and you get to see the divide in the rooms after the game but there is a deep, mutual respect and South Croydon are a great bunch of fellas.

Blackburn coach Brendan Allen. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“We wish them well and hope they make finals but if we come up against them, I hope they don’t win.”

In glorious winter conditions, just 14 goals were kicked.

“I think the pressure from both sides was first class and if you actually went back and looked at the tape, yes they’ve had a few more scoring shots but where they were forced to have their scoring shots from our team defence was brilliant for us,” Allen said.

“To keep a team to 48 points and goalless in the last quarter … that says a fair bit about what we’ve been trying to do since the Norwood loss (in Round 8).

“We really needed to hone in on our defensive mechanisms, it’s not perfect but at least we’re seeing improvement.”

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