EFL moves to No.1 ranked competition in Victoria after a 43-point win over GFL

EASTERN Football League has ended Geelong’s grip as the state’s top-ranked competition after running away with a 43-point win in the AFL Victoria Community Championships clash.

The EFL celebrates its win over the GFL. Picture: James Ross/AAP

EASTERN Football League has ended Geelong’s grip as the state’s top-ranked competition after running away with a 43-point win on Saturday night.

EFL claimed the No.1 ranking for the first time in the competition’s history after a 16.9 (106) to 9.9 (63) victory over the GFL at Etihad Stadium, ending Geelong’s six-year reign as the best competition in the state.

Leading by just 12 points at the final change, the EFL piled on seven goals in the final term to finish with a comfortable victory.

It's all but over here at Etihad Stadium. Two goals in the final term from @VermontFC ruckman Liam Buxton helps the @footyefl to a 30-point lead over @AFLBarwon. The No.1 ranking in the @aflvic Community Championships is heading out east.

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) May 19, 2018

#AFLVChamps | GAME OVER! The EFL claims the number-one ranking in the @aflvic Community Championships, defeating @AFLBarwon 16.9 (105) to 9.9 (63). Leigh Williams the hero up forward booting seven goals!

— EFL (@footyefl) May 19, 2018

After a best afield performance against Essendon District last year, Leigh Williams celebrated his 28th birthday in style with another star showing on the interleague stage.

The Norwood spearhead finished with seven goals, including four in the first half, while Vermont ruckman Liam Buxton dominated in the middle.

Buxton capped off his day with three final-quarter goals to be awarded Eastern’s best player, while Eagles teammate Tom Schneider was typically prolific through the midfield.

First-year EFL coach Steve Cochrane ranked the victory among his career highlights.

“We wanted to pick guys in good form and bring them in for that position and it showed in the end that we had a cohesive group that played like a team,” Cochrane said.

“We were able to execute our gamestyle, we wanted to play a bit of EFL footy — high pressure, contested footy and I think in the end that broke GFL, it really did.”

Williams had three goals in the first 16 minutes of the game before a late goal from Aaron Fenton gave the EFL a 12-point buffer at the first change.

Joe Fisher and Tom Ruggles chase the ball. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Geelong hit the lead briefly in the second term when Brant Haintz kicked truly on the run at the 19-minute mark.

But it’s advantage was short-lived when Williams replied with his fourth, left unattended at the back of a stoppage at the top of the goalsquare.

Eastern kicked three of the opening four goals in the third quarter but a late major from James Gow deep in time-on gave the GFL a sniff at three-quarter time.

But any optimism was quickly snuffed out when captain Stuart Hill, Williams and Buxton each kicked a goal in the first five minutes to help give the EFL the state’s No.1 ranking.

Cochrane said it was a significant achievement for Eastern’s to be ranked the state’s best competition.

“We’ve got some fantastic players in there, we’ve probably always struggled to get our best on the park and that’s why when I talked to the guys it wasn’t necessarily about getting the best (players), it was the best for the position,” he said.

“They wanted that No.1 spot and they were able to do it so I’m happy for them and happy for us.”