EFNL Division 4: Surrey Park’s Nick Kann bags 15 goals in 154-point rout

It was a big day in front of goal for a Surrey Park forward who bagged double digits in his side’s triple-figure hiding of an EFNL Division 4 rival ...

What a day out from Surrey Park’s Nick Kann.

The emerging talent ran amok booting 15 majors in his side’s 26.24 (180) to 4.2 (26) rout of Croydon North-MLOC in the Eastern league’s Division 4 on Saturday, lifting the Panthers to a second-consecutive win.

Surrey Park senior coach James Kenworthy could only marvel at the young gun, who made his senior debut last season.

The Panthers piled on nine opening-term goals to none, Kann bagging five in the early onslaught.

Surrey Park’s Nick Kann in action. Photo: Hamish Blair

“It was an absolutely unbelievable performance,” Kenworthy said.

“We saw glimpses last year of what he was capable of and yesterday our mids gave him perfect delivery and he was able to put the score on the board.

“He kicked five in the first quarter so from then on, we knew he was on for the day.”

Despite Kann’s showing, Jamie Glare took the best-afield honours for Surrey Park, lighting it up on the wing and kicking three majors.

“He debuted last year and was one of the under-19s kids … he’s a really good, crafty forward but we were playing him on the wing – he’s a smart player, left-footer and he’s only going to get better as he gains more experience,” Kenworthy said.

The Panthers are yet to lose a match this season, holding a four-win record alongside a draw with ladder-leader Kilsyth for second spot.

Kenworthy said the “workrate of forwards” had improved since the club’s grand final loss last year, along with the ball movement from the back-half proving central to the Panthers’ heavy scoring on Saturday.

A host of experienced names including Kenworthy missed the match, alongside key recruit Lachlan Bacon, and Matt Garvin and Ryan Kennedy who were among a long line of mainstays also out.

The coach is optimistic his side’s best could be yet to come, with it set to welcome back a wealth of players as the season progresses.

“We’re still building, we’ve had a lot of changes and injuries in five rounds already, so it’s been a new-look side the last couple of weeks,” Kenworthy said.

“As the season progresses, we’re just going to get stronger and stronger with the more games we play together and gel.

“(Saturday) was a massive step in the right direction.”

Surrey Park is away to Nunawading next round while Croydon North-MLOC remains winless ahead of its clash at home with Scoresby.

Surrey Park 9.5 14.9 18.16 26.24 (180)

Croydon North-MLOC 0.1 2.2 3.2 4.2 (26)

Surrey Park

Goals:

N. Kann 15, J. Glare 3, L. Peters 2, T. Smith, M. Molnar, R. Falahey, N. Whelan, T. Vitacca, S. Porter

Best:

J. Glare, S. Porter, O. Anderson, T. Vitacca, N. Kann

Croydon North-MLOC

Goals:

J. Guerin 2, D. Collins, W. Robinson

Best:

L. Volk, W. Robinson, J. Guerin, J. Bromiley, L. Poli, D. Collins