EFL 2019: Vermont scores 35-point win over Blackburn in Eastern Football League

Vermont remains the only undefeated team in Premier Division after dishing out a reality check to flag contender Blackburn.

Tom Schneider was again in Vermont’s best players. Picture: Davis Harrigan

As it has done over the past four seasons, Vermont has been quick to establish an advantage over its Eastern Football League rivals.

The Eagles are missing a host key players but they have an unblemished record after the first month of the season.

Vermont took control of its Premier Division clash against flag contender Blackburn in the second half on Saturday to finish 35-point winners.

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The Burners trailed by just 11 points deep in time-on of the second term at Morton Park, but were held goalless in the third quarter as Vermont established a 50-point margin at the final break.

The Eagles went on to record a 13.10 (88) to 6.17 (53) win to move a game clear at the top of the table.

Blackburn’s defeat and Rowville’s thumping at the hands of Balwyn leaves Vermont as the only side yet to taste defeat in 2019.

“I think we were just able to get our hands on the footy around the contest and keep the ball in our front half and got some opportunities on the back of that,” Vermont coach Harmit Singh said of his side’s second-half performance.

Tom Schneider, Adam Parker, Lachie Johns and Ryan Mullett controlled the midfield battle, while Brett Eddy proved a handful up forward with four goals in his first game since Round 1.

Young tall Nick Minchin was also rated among the Eagles’ best players for his efforts against Blackburn ruckman Lachlan Howe.

“I rate Lachie Howe as one of the premier rucks in the state and Nick acquitted himself very well,” Singh said.

“His work around the ground was good, as was his follow-up, so for as 21-year-old kid to contribute and he did ruck 90 per cent of the game, credit to him and he’s only going to get better. He’s going to be a serious player in the next couple of years.”

Brett Eddy kicked four goals in his second game of the year. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Vermont is missing six of its premiership players, including Kyle Staples, Luke and Robbie McComb, Cam Purdy and Thomas Maas.

Ruckman Robbie Ross is also continuing his recovery from broken ribs and a punctured lung.

“I think we’ve already played about 31, 32 players so we probably haven’t been able to get that chemistry because we’ve been making multiple changes,” Singh said.

“I think the pleasing thing has been the ability of the boys to just do jobs they’ve been asked to do by their line coaches and myself.

“In terms of system, it’s worked quite well. We haven’t been scored that heavily (against) … all things being equal, it was a pretty pleasing performance given how strong and how highly we rate Blackburn.”

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