EFNL 2024: Depleted Croydon wins opening Division 2 bout

Croydon toasted a win in its season-opener under new coach Rhett Jordon on Saturday, who lauded his charges’ resilience after the Blues powered on without several key names.

EFNL 2024: Croydon sings the song after its opening-round win. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Down rotations on the bench and several stars? No worries.

Eastern Division 2 newcomer Croydon powered to a 52-point win over East Burwood on Saturday – its maiden victory under playing-coach Rhett Jordon.

The 14.7 (91) to 6.3 (39) result came as the Blues did without key names Matt McKenzie, Andrew Carter, Bailey Hotker, Jimmy Smith and Tim Anderson among others.

The match marked the Blues’ first in Division 2 following relegation from Division 1 at the end of last season, with the Rams jumping the visitors early for an 11-point quarter-time buffer.

“We knew we had a few outs (on Saturday) and knew they (East Burwood) were in a pretty similar spot with both their main ruckmen out and their centre half-back,” Jordon said.

“We knew they weren’t at full strength, so they were going to come pretty hard and try and make up for that and be physical at the contest.

“I think they got the jump on us early with that and we played into their hands and played their style in the first quarter.

“The biggest pleasing thing for me was having the boys adjust at quarter-time and have them play quarters two, three and four the way they did.”

Croydon’s Darcy Yule contests the ruck on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Down two rotations on the bench for the last quarter with a 26-point advantage at the final change, half-back Aaron Nicholas left the field midway through the third term after a heavy collision, while debutant Ryan Nunziante suffered a poke in the eye.

Jordon lauded his charges’ resilience as the Blues blew the margin out.

“I think it was a bit of confidence – all three of our praccy matches we finished with lower numbers on the bench and by the time we got to three-quarter time (on Saturday), we only had two on the bench,” he said.

“My message (at three-quarter time) was let’s embrace it – it’s no different to anything we’ve gone through in the past month.

“We know we’re fit.”

Croydon playing-coach Rhett Jordon hunts the footy. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Adrian Ficorilli fired on-ball for the Blues while defender Fraser Smith also starred.

Riley Britton booted three goals alongside Riley Costantino and Josh Mutsaers with two apiece.

“With a couple of our main on-ballers not playing, we had to change things a bit and he (Ficorilli) was able to buy into it,” Jordon said.

“His pre-season was huge – fit as.

“Fraser was huge for us … he was just a general down there (back) and any ball that came in, he was able to negate that.”

Norwood import Darcy Yule delivered in his first match for the club, with his ruck performance earning a nod in the best.

“They (East Burwood) didn’t have either of their main two ruckmen so we knew we had the upper-hand, so it was good for him to have a crack at it – I knew he was always a talented kid,” Jordon said.

“I was stoked with the way he played – I put it on him pre-game for a big one.”