EFL: South Croydon defeats Vermont by 18 points in the Division 1 grand final rematch

SOUTH Croydon moved two games clear inside the Division 1 top three after keeping Vermont to one of its lowest scores in recent memories.

Jason Pongracic was among South Croydon’s best players on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SOME Eastern Football League observers had South Croydon ahead of undefeated Vermont in the Division 1 premiership race before Saturday’s grand final rematch.

And the Bulldogs’ 18-point win only enhanced their claims for back-to-back flags after another typically hardworking display from the reigning premiers.

South Croydon restricted Vermont to just 12 scoring shots in the 8.22 (70) to 8.4 (52) result, the Eagles’ equal lowest number scoring opportunities since Round 12, 2011 when it kicked 7.5.

Vermont also managed just two behinds in the final quarter, the first time it has gone goalless in a term this year as the Eagles suffered their first loss of 2018.

Similar to last year’s grand final, Vermont failed to find the answers to South Croydon’s unrelenting pressure in gloomy and greasy conditions at Cheong Park.

The Bulldogs registered over 100 tackles, with Nick Molnar laying 14 tackles to halftime before finishing with 22 for the game.

Dylan Marshall spoils Sam Wadley. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“That was probably one of the best individual wet weather games I have seen,” South Croydon coach Luke McCormick said.

“He’s made for it, he loves those conditions, as a lot of blokes do, but he was relentless.”

Aside from Brett Eddy, who starred with four goals to take his season tally to 44, the Eagles were unusually bereft of targets in their forward 50.

Dale Walker was tasked with the job on Eddy and led the backline superbly, ably supported by Tom Schinck, James Crowle and Ben McDonald.

The Bulldogs’ pressure was obvious from the opening bounce, with the game’s first major not coming until the 18-minute mark of the first term when Darcy Crocker goaled against the run of play.

Vermont got out to its biggest lead of the game when Eddy kicked his first goal early in the second term to give the visitors a nine-point advantage.

But three goals in the space of six minutes midway through the second quarter helped South Croydon start to take control, with Vermont again only briefly hitting the front early in the third quarter when Connor McCafferty kicked truly.

The result gave the Bulldogs seven consecutive victories and improved their record to 8-2, moving two games inside the top three.

While there may have been question marks if the Bulldogs could again contend after a fairytale grand final win last year, McCormick said validated his side would again be a contender in 2018.

“Really exciting and good for the boys, I think it could have been an even better result had we kicked straight,” he said.

“You see the guys that have been here for a while and they’re absolutely loving this time and the time and work they’ve put in, I think it does validate it a little bit, that’s for sure.”