EFNL Division 1 2024: Park Orchards holds off inaccurate Montrose by eight points
It’s another scalp for Eastern league Division 1 ladder-leader Park Orchards, which learned a wealth of lessons from its only loss a month ago according to the co-captain.
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Another challenger dispelled – but only just.
Eastern Division 1 ladder-leader Park Orchards has lifted its record to 12-1 following a 13.12 (90) to 10.22 (82) victory over finals-bound rival Montrose on Saturday.
Trailing the wasteful Demons – who registered 2.8 in the first term – by four points at quarter-time, the Sharks clicked into gear in the second to lead by 12 at the half.
Ahead by 16 points at the final change, Park Orchards’ last-quarter return of 2.5 to Montrose’s 3.7 proved enough in what Sharks co-captain Kane Keppel described as a taxing encounter.
“They had plus-seven scoring shots … it was a very physical game (and) they kept coming all game – it was a fierce day on the field,” Keppel said.
Key defender Liam Cridland was best on ground for the Sharks – whose job included standing hampered Montrose power forward Ryan Garthwaite.
“Liam doesn’t pride himself on getting too many touches as long as his bloke doesn’t touch it, and he kept Ryan to zero (goals), but he (Garthwaite) got injured,” Keppel said.
“He’s (Cridland) an absolute workhorse – full-back, centre-half back, he’s off the radar and does a very selfless role every week.”
Montrose coach Gary Ayres confirmed Garthwaite – who has a leading 56 majors – was “restricted” due to a foot injury, and exited the field at three-quarter time as he went goalless for the first time this season. The 26-year-old had scans on Monday as the club faced a nervous wait.
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The Demons, who sit fourth with an 8-5 record, finished the match with one rotation as full-back Jacob Farrell (hamstring) and Jordan Eales (suspected PCL) also succumbed to injuries.
Meanwhile, Sharks young gun Alex Macrokanis fired off four goals.
Park Orchards’ only blemish this season came a month ago against reigning premier Mitcham in the form of a 67-point drubbing.
Keppel said coach Paris Harvie delivered a few home truths in the aftermath.
“It was one of those days that just didn’t go to plan and they got a seven-goal headstart, and then the rain came,” Keppel said.
“He (Harvie) hit us where it hurts with the absolute truth and nothing but, that we were very soft on the field that day and that’s exactly what we were.
“We shied away from it, and when the going got tough, nobody wanted to get going.”
The Sharks face second-placed South Belgrave after a bye this weekend, before meeting Beaconsfield (fifth), Bayswater (seventh), Doncaster (ninth) and Mitcham (third) to close out the home-and-away season.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Keppel said of his side’s next match.
“But the bye’s come at a very good time for us – Division 1’s one of those comps where if you don’t rock up on the day, anyone can beat you, whether you’re first or last.”
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