EFL 2019: Croydon improves its record to 8-2 in the Eastern Football League
Croydon coach Morris D’Alessandro has lauded the development of his side’s younger players as the Blues look to lock in their first finals berth since 2015.
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Croydon coach Morris D’Alessandro admits he is surprised by the development of the club’s emerging talent as the Blues prepare for their biggest test of the season.
Croydon improved its record to 8-2 on Saturday with a hard-fought 23-point win over Mooroolbark.
The Blues have finished mid-table since 2015 and D’Alessandro credited their rise up the Division 1 ladder this year to an investment in youth.
Riley Britton has developed into a focal point in attack, while Andrew Carter, Bailey Hotker and Matt McKenzie, Drew Benson have all been influential.
“What we’re surprised about is how quick these boys have bought in to what we want to do,” D’Alessandro said.
“We always knew it was going to happen but probably the time frame is a little bit quicker than we thought.
“All our young guys have been getting a lot more game time at senior level and they’ve responded and feeling really comfortable at the level now.”
Britton sits second on the goalkicking charts with 30 majors for the season. He sits only five goals behind Mooroolbark star Aaron Mullett.
“I think our main problem last year was a focal point up forward,” D’Alessandro said.
“Riley has been a real bonus for us up forward and a real target. It helps us in our structure that we’ve got someone up there that we can aim for when we go inside forward 50.”
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The 8.7 (55) to 5.8 (38) win over Mooroolbark maintained Croydon’s three-game advantage in the top three.
The Blues’ next assignment will be against Doncaster East. The last time the two sides met, the Lions handed them a 98-point hiding.
“There’s a whole range of boys that are having their second years at our footy club and doing really well,” D’Alessandro said.
“We had things in place and they’re fully understanding what it takes to play senior footy and what structures we have put in place.
“They’re really working towards them and I think belief is another thing that is pretty important.
“They’ve got real belief now that we’ve got a good football team.”
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