EFL: South Croydon ready to lock horns against Vermont in the Division 1 grand final rematch
SOUTH Croydon captain Daniel King says the Bulldogs could not be in better form ahead of the mouth-watering Division 1 grand final rematch against Vermont.
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WE’VE had to wait three months since the season began.
But it’s finally here.
South Croydon tuned up for this weekend’s mouth-watering Division 1 grand final rematch against Vermont with a 36-point win over Rowville.
Only inaccuracy stopped the Bulldogs from hitting 100 points for the eighth time this season, pulling away from the Hawks in the second half on Saturday.
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Despite hitting top form in recent weeks, South Croydon captain Daniel King said undefeated Vermont was still “100 per cent” the benchmark of the competition.
“When we last spoke I mentioned the first four games, we were still finding our feet — new coach, new side and then it has started to jel the last five weeks,” King said.
“(We’re) definitely in a good position and ready to take on the competition’s best.”
The result dropped Rowville to fifth on the Eastern Football League ladder after back-to-back losses ahead of clashes against Blackburn, Doncaster, North Ringwood and Balwyn before the split round, leaving it in danger of falling out of the five for the first time this season.
Rowville led by one point at Seebeck Oval at halftime before South Croydon kicked eight goals to three in the second half to record a 12.17 (89) to 8.5 (53) win, with the Hawks only giving three best players.
Bulldogs forward Jake Tucker was moved into the ruck and gave sterling service around the ground, while Max King was shifted into attack and kicked two goals.
Liam Tobin also put in one of his best performances for South Croydon after crossing from Noble Park in the summer, finishing with four majors.
The victory gave the Bulldogs six consecutive wins, keeping them a game clear inside the top three.
Forward duo Daniel Cooper and Alex Birch will both return for Saturday’s clash at Cheong Park after missing the weekend’s win, while Matt Jones and Jason Want could also return from injury.
“The reason a lot of people play first division football is to compete with and against the best and fortunately last year we were successful and we’ve got ourselves into that bracket up around the top again at this stage,” King said.
“Always love testing yourself and playing against the best sides, that’s what you play footy for.”
Elsewhere in Division 1, Blackburn kicked seven goals to three in the final quarter to inflict a 27-point defeat on Norwood, North Ringwood kept Knox to two goals in the first three quarters to come away with a 47-point win and Vermont prevailed by East Ringwood over 45 points.
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