EFL 2019: Vermont on track for fourth consecutive minor premiership

Vermont is on track for its fourth consecutive minor premiership as the Eagles narrows their vision on a tilt at back-to-back Eastern Football League premierships.

Mitch Honeychurch was in Vermont’s best players. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Vermont is where it has been for the past four years.

At the top of the Eastern Football League ladder.

And it’s likely the Eagles will finish as minor premiers for a fourth consecutive season after a 20-point win over Blackburn in a stoppage-filled contest on Saturday.

The 13.21 (99) to 12.7 (79) result improved Vermont’s record to 12-1 as it narrows it sights on a tilt at back-to-back flags.

Vermont turned an eight-point halftime deficit into a 15-point advantage by the final change before logging its 63rd win from its past 73 games.

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Ruckman Robbie Ross had the better of the ruck duel over star Blackburn big man Lachlan Howe to be best afield.

It was just the fourth time this year Howe was not mentioned in the Burners’ best players.

“We were really pleased with our response after halftime,” Vermont coach Harmit Singh said.

“We had to tidy up a couple of things and led by our captain (Lachie Johns), who set the tone early in that third quarter, I think we were able to get on top around the source.

“(Andrew) Ainger and (Brett) Eddy started to get busier I guess in the second half and we were probably more efficient than what we were in the first half.”

Cam Purdy, Ainger and Eddy each kicked three goals, while Vermont’s midfield depth was on show.

Johns, Mitch Honeychurch, Tom Schneider, Robbie and Luke McComb, Adam Parker, Ryan Mullett and Alex Greenwood were each important contributors.

Vermont’s average winning margin this year is 58 points and its only loss came in Round 6 to Rowville by eight points — a result many believe could have gone the other way.

The Eagles remain two games clear at the top of the Premier Division standings and are all-but assured of top spot and a chance to freshen up in the first week of finals.

Brett Eddy kicked three majors to take his season tally to 45 goals. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“We know what we want to get out of the year, there is no secrets around that, and I hope that would be the same for other teams in the finals window,” Singh said.

“There is a number of contenders I feel this year and the competition is quite even as well.

“We have a clear plan with how we are training at this time going into the bye and then we’ll reassess and review going into that last block of four games and into finals.

“The competition for spots … that is holding the group in good stead and it’s probably stopping players from getting too complacent, otherwise they’ll have to work on their game in the reserves.”

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