EFL 2019: Rowville scores eight-point win over Vermont in Premier Division

Vermont’s three-pronged attack of Jake Best, Andrew Ainger and Brett Eddy were well held against Rowville as the Hawks handed the Eagles their first defeat of the Premier Division season.

Rowville ruckman Nick Schonenmakers wins a tap out. Picture: Stuart Milligan

IT’S arguably the best forward line in local football.

Jake Best, Andrew Ainger and Brett Eddy.

FRANK ANDERSON A MID-SEASON DRAFT CHANCE

MID-SEASON BOOST FOR CHELTENHAM

LEIGH WILLIAMS INSPIRES NORWOOD TO VICTORY

MICK FOGARTY POURS PRAISE ON VERMONT

But the star Vermont trio were well held on Saturday as Rowville handed the Eagles their first defeat of the Eastern Football League season.

Best, Ainger and Eddy combined for three goals as Bailey Morrish, Taine Barlow and Mason Crozier limited the influence of Vermont’s three-pronged attack.

Trent Castledine spoils the ball for Vermont. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“Bailey Morrish on Jake Best did a terrific job,” Rowville coach John Brown said.

“Taine Barlow played his sixth senior game and played on Ainger and played outstanding.

“Mason Crozier at full back did a job on Eddy so we were quite strong behind the ball.”

Little separated the sides before Rowville finished with a 16.7 (103) to 13.17 (95) win at Seebeck Oval.

Ruckman/forward Tom Lockman also received plaudits in his debut game.

“He performed really, really well,” Brown said.

“We were really proud of his efforts in a big game and we trusted he could play a role and he did for us.”

Matt Davey kicked three goals, including two clutch majors in the final term, to also be in the best players.

Rowville had seven less scoring shots but made the most of their opportunities.

“They’ve had 30 shots on goal but there was a lot of forced behinds they had because of the pressure we had,” Brown said.

“They had some opportunities but at the same time, a lot of them were forced and we forced them wide.

“They had a lot of shots on goal from the boundary and our focus was on converting our opportunities.”

Rowville coach John Brown. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Rowville started 3-0 but was in danger of falling back in the pack after consecutive defeats to Balwyn and Norwood.

Brown said the Hawks were “a bit agitated” after last week’s 38-point defeat against the Norsemen.

“There was a bit of resolve in the boys, they were pretty focused,” Brown said.

“We’ve got such admiration and respect for Vermont and we know we needed a four-quarter effort and that was a lot of our focus.

“I thought we did that really well. The other thing we probably said to the boys was execution and we let ourselves down in execution last week in terms of instructions, directions, ball use and we were a lot more efficient in executing all those things.”

Key duo Mitch Garner (ankle) and Jackson McDonald (scaphoid) will return from injury in the second half of the year after undergoing surgery during the week.

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

- Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

- Unprecedented AFL coverage.

- All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

- Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

- Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.