EFL 2022: Blackburn draws within striking distance of top six

Blackburn continued its revival in the EFL’s Premier Division on Saturday to draw within striking distance of the six. Here’s where the coach believes the improvement has come.

The gap on the top six has tightened again.

Blackburn’s 10-point victory over Vermont on Saturday has it within striking distance of the Premier Division finals race after sitting two-and-a-half games out just two rounds ago.

The weekend’s result marked a second consecutive win for the Panthers after overcoming Norwood the previous round, with the gulf on the top six cut to just two points.

Blackburn sits in seventh spot with a 4-4-1 win-loss-draw ratio, with Vermont (sixth) and Doncaster East (fifth) above it with 5-4 records respectively.

Blackburn on-baller Jack Roughsedge finished best afield. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Senior coach Brendan Allen believes his side’s improvement since Round 1 was evident again on the weekend, after starting the season with just two wins and a draw from seven matches.

“It probably gives the boys a bit of certainly that what we’re trying to do on the track on a Tuesday and Thursday is working, and when we execute we’re a pretty good footy team,” he said.

“Early days when we lost to Balwyn and Doncaster East, it was basic mistakes, (and) we didn’t make those (on Saturday) and that’s footy – a little hand in there, a kick there, and that can be a win or a loss.

“Especially on Saturday, I think our ball movement has really improved since Round 1, and we’re becoming really hard to play against.

“We’re in a good little position, but we’re not in the six yet, we’ve still got a lot of work to do … we just can’t take anyone lightly in this comp at all.”

Patrick Lawlor of Blackburn juggles a mark. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The Panthers held a 14-point half-time advantage before the Eagles surged in the third term to tie the scores at the final change.

But Allen credited the way his charges “gritted the teeth” in the last term, after midfielder Liam Murphy left the field in the third quarter with concussion after he had “the ball on a string”.

Liam Murphy left the field with concussion after a dominant display. Picture: George Salpigtidis

On-baller Jack Roughsedge went head-to-head with Vermont’s Matt Arnot for most of the match and finished best afield, while the coach also commended ruckman Lachie Harry for his role on Robbie Ross in the absence of no. 1 ruck, Kyle Dove.

“We probably had the better of it in the third, and probably should’ve won by more to be honest,” Allen said.

“We’d get a goal, a lot of effort to get one, and all of a sudden they got two clean centre clearances in that third quarter and pegged (the margin) back a bit.

“They’re always going to be tough to beat there.”

There was no shortage of options in attack as Charlie Oglethorpe, Luke Conca, Liam Murphy and Blake Tahlambouris kicked two majors apiece, while Vermont’s Lachie Johns also bagged a couple in a best afield display for his side.

Charlie Oglethorpe of Blackburn celebrates a goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

And there may have been a milestone among Saturday’s season-reviving result.

“I think it’s the first time ever that Blackburn has won all three grades at Vermont, so it was a pretty big effort as a whole,” Allen said.

“I hadn’t beaten them since 2018, and to do it down there on their patch was really pleasing.”

Blackburn hosts Doncaster (10th) this weekend while Vermont is away to Rowville.