EFNL 2025: Lilydale upsets 2024 runner-up Croydon in Division 2
The Falcons have opened their Eastern Division 2 season in style under a new coach, trouncing last year’s runner-up after a barren past two campaigns.
Eastern
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LILYDALE’s new era is alive and kicking.
The Falcons made a statement under new coach Duncan Jones on Saturday in Eastern’s Division 2, upsetting 2024 runner-up Croydon in an 8.9 (57) to 2.12 (24) rout at the Lilydale Sports Oval.
Holding the grand finalists goalless for three quarters, Jones said his players matched the visitors in a “hotly-contested” game.
“We felt we were able to strangle them a bit on offence, and made it tough for them to move the football,” Jones said, who served as head of football at VFL club Williamstown last year following assistant-coaching stints at Oakleigh Chargers and Park Orchards.
And the constricting style is set to be a trademark.
“Internally we’ve put a system in place … I’ve taken parts from Williamstown, the Oakleigh Chargers, and bits and pieces from Park Orchards and it’s stuff we’ve moulded into a really strong football system,” Jones said.
“We saw last week in the practice game against Norwood that the guys got a lot of confidence out of that, and to replicate that today (Saturday), it’s really great to see the progression and development of the players who are now starting to trust the coaches and what we’re putting out.
“What we’re putting out is a really strong, defensive-structured brand of football.”
Marc Massarotti was a “bull in the centre” creating several attacking opportunities according to the coach, while back-to-back best and fairest and captain Riley Clausen “led from the front”.
But the biggest shout was reserved for gun tall, Ben Hickleton.
“We weren’t sure if he was going to play this year – but he’s taken one of the best hangers I’ve ever seen and was dominant in the ruck,” Jones said.
“He was superb with the way he rucked and got around the ground – he was so influential.
“There’s a lot of guys that I could throw a blanket over but those three shone in the system this week, and I’m sure next week it’ll be other guys as well.
“Our system allows people to play their role, and if it’s their day, their name gets put up in lights.”
Landing the coaching role in September, Jones inherited a team which had won just six matches in 2024 after going winless in Division 1 the previous season.
“It’s really pleasing as a coach to see your players develop from night one of pre-season to round one – it’s chalk and cheese from what they were to where they are,” he said.
“But we’re not a finished product by any means, which is fantastic.
“We’re just rapt for the Lilydale community – obviously they’ve had a tough couple of years and to get a win over a quality opposition, it’s just great for the club.”
Lilydale 3.0, 5.3, 7.6, 8.9 (57)
Croydon 0.3, 0.7, 0.9, 2.12 (24)
Best players
Lilydale: Benjamin Hickleton, Marc Massarotti, Riley Clausen, Harry Evans, Jackson Flint, Jack Nichols
Croydon: James Smith, Corey McKenzie, Jason Prior, Andrew Carter, Joshua Pettinella, Jake Christie
Goals
Lilydale: Max Dooley, Marc Massarotti (2), Oscar Brown, Zac Carolan, Rowan Tucker, Josh White
Croydon: Adrian Ficorilli, Ryan Nunziante
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