EFNL Premier Division 2023: Vermont stuns Rowville as Adrian Kalcovski bags six

A bag of goals from one of the competition’s leading forwards has spearheaded Vermont to a statement win – but the Eagles aren’t the finished product yet, the coach says.

A bag of goals from one of the competition’s leading forwards has spearheaded Vermont to a statement win in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

The Eagles proved too strong for top-five outfit Rowville in a stand-alone clash on Sunday, prevailing 16.11 (107) to 9.6 (60) as Adrian Kalcovski starred with six majors.

Kalcovski currently sits second for goals in the division with 33 from 11 matches – just three behind Rowville’s Lachlan Wynd.

Vermont senior coach Adam Parker says Kalcovski has had to wear many of the comp’s best defenders this season.

“He’s kicked a lot of goals this year against their (the opposition’s) best shutdown small or medium-sized defender and he had that yesterday … to kick six goals is a really good outcome,” Parker said.

“I also think he gets benefit from a lot of the work across the side.”

The Eagles powered to a 47-point win spearheaded by a bag of six from Kalcovski. Picture: Field of View Photography

The Eagles skipped away to a 42-point buffer at the half following a seven-goal-to-two second quarter.

“I think the game was on our terms for the full first half in reality, and we just capitalised in the second quarter … I reckon that was a bit of a scoring end even though there wasn’t a breeze,” Parker said.

“We knew Rowville were flying going into the game … they play a real fast brand so we just tried to slow them down and the conditions helped us with what our ground was like yesterday.”

Starring alongside Kalcovski was defender James Ross, named best-afield for his job on Wynd, keeping the VFL-listed forward to one major.

The victory fires Vermont to an 8-3 record in third – one match and percentage off top spot.

Its previous four weeks includes wins against reigning premier Noble Park, Berwick and Doncaster and a 17-point loss to Blackburn.

Eagles and Hawks fly for the pill. Picture: Field of View Photography

Despite winning seven of its past eight games, Parker said there was still room for improvement among his group.

“Blackburn were really strong and limited our ball-movement a couple of weeks ago so we adjusted a few things in that space,” he said.

“We played Berwick the week after and played some pretty good footy in some poor conditions, and the weekend was probably our best game for the year, although we were still a little bit patchy in the third quarter.

“We’re still not a consistent four-quarter side at the moment.”

Vermont hosts second-placed Doncaster East next round while Rowville, fifth, is at home to Doncaster (12th).

Vermont 3.4, 10.7, 12.9, 16.11 (107)

Rowville 2.1, 4.1, 8.5, 9.6 (60)

Vermont

Goals:

A. Kalcovski 6, E. Leeds 2, C. Daraio 2, D. Nielson 2, M. Hawkins, C. Barker, R. Fitzpatrick, L. Johns

Best:

J. Ross, A. Kalcovski, C. Daraio, P. Marks, A. Strachan, A. Greenwood

Rowville

Goals:

M. Taylor 2, J. Clarke, J. Coleclough, L. Wynd, J. McDonald, M. Davey, C. Verrell, J. Arundell

Best:

L. Stapleton, A. Brolic, J. Coleclough, C. Stainthorpe, M. Taylor, J. Clarke