EFL 2019: Brett Eddy kicks 10 goals in Vermont’s 59-point win over South Croydon

Brett Eddy put in one of the great individual performances for the year, kicking 10 goals in Vermont’s 59-point win over South Croydon.

Brett Eddy was at his dynamic best against South Croydon. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Brett Eddy was goalless in the first quarter against South Croydon on Saturday.

But it didn’t remain that way for long.

The former Port Adelaide forward finished with 10 goals in a spectacular individual performance in the Eagles’ 59-point win in last year’s Premier Division grand final rematch.

Eddy kicked three goals in the second term, five in the third and completed his day with another two majors in the final quarter.

He finished with 10.0.

Brett Eddy was the star in Vermont’s big win. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Eddy’s only blemish for the day came when he had a shot for an 11th from a sharp angle in front of the primary school into a difficult wind, only for the kick to fall short.

He had kicked just nine goals in his first four games but was at his dynamic best at the Terrara Rd ground.

The sharpshooter booted three in four minutes in the second quarter when Vermont slotted nine unanswered majors, turning a five-point deficit at quarter-time into a 52-point advantage.

Another four goals came in a 10-minute burst in the third and he nailed his fifth for the term on the three-quarter time siren.

His 10th came when he snapped truly on his left boot late in the game.

“He got rewarded for some great work up the field and we looked after him a lot better with our ball movement because he is such a dynamic player and a nightmare match-up one-on-one,” Vermont coach Harmit Singh said.

“I still think (he is) the premier forward outside state league footy around Australia, that’s how highly we think of him.”

Scary to think the 20.7 (127) to 11.2 (68) result was achieved without some of Vermont’s top-liners.

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The Eagles made seven changes from last week’s loss against Rowville and defender Tim Johnson was a late withdrawal.

Champions Ryan Mullett, Alex Greenwood, Jake Best, Adam Parker, Tom Schneider and Johnson all watched from the sidelines with injury.

Mitch Honeychurch also played no part in the second half after coping a knock to his eye. The former Western Bulldogs midfielder was sporting a black eye at three-quarter time but Singh said he would play against Balwyn next weekend.

Premiership pair Cam Purdy and Lachlan Carey also both played their first games for the year in the reserves.

Schneider will return in the second half of the year after undergoing surgery on a broken hand during the week.

Vermont coach Harmit Singh calls the shots. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The injuries mean Vermont has used 37 players inside the first seven rounds but sit atop the ladder with a 6-1 record.

Emerging players Adrian Kalcovski, Matt Garvin and James Krikas were among the additions and each had their moments.

Singh said Vermont had another “five or six” players in under-19s and reserves “pushing for games”.

“I think we had seven players who have played less than 10 games,” he said.

“It holds us in good stead to have some depth but I think some of the challenges for some of the stronger Premier sides is around giving the younger players opportunities.

“Kids at the moment, they don’t want to spend too long in the development team. A lot of them had key jobs and roles for us to do and I’m really proud of them.”

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