MPFNL Division 1: Weller sparks Edi-Asp to gripping victory over Mt Eliza

Edithvale-Aspendale is putting no ceiling on what it can achieve in Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 1 this season, as a brilliant youngster fired the Eagles to victory over Mt Eliza.

Edi-Asp players are cock-a-hoop after their win over Mt Eliza on Saturday. Picture: Simon McEvoy

For Edithvale-Aspendale, there are no limits.

The Eagles scored a crucial away win over reigning premiers Mt Eliza on Saturday to consolidate fourth spot in MPFNL Division 1, and edge closer to a finals berth in their return season in the top flight.

Ignited by brilliant youngster Zac Weller, who was best-on-ground, Edi-Asp found another gear in the last quarter to pull clear, prevailing 9.14 (68) to 8.10 (58), after scores were level at 51-apiece at three-quarter time.

Edi-Asp players and officials celebrate as the final siren sounds. Picture: Simon McEvoy

After winning Division 2 in 2024, Edi-Asp are thriving in the top flight with six wins and a draw from 11 games and playing-coach Kris Pendlebury has set no limits on the Eagles’ potential.

“To be honest I’ve put no ceilings on it,” he said.

“I think our best is good enough but the challenge at this level is you have to do it for a lot longer than we were accustomed to last year.

“It’s just a mental thing and a concentration thing. I think we’re building, we’ve got a lot of improvement left. I’m not putting any limits on what we can do but we’d have to keep improving to challenge the top of the table.”

Pendlebury praised his side’s relentless forward pressure when the game was up for grabs in the last quarter on Saturday.

“Our second quarter was really strong playing down towards that end, so essentially we had to rinse and repeat what we did in that second quarter, and we did it to another level (in the last),” Pendlebury said.

“Our forward pressure was amazing — I think we had 10 inside fifty tackles — and we could set up the ground behind that and not allow them (Mt Eliza) to exit the footy. We really brought the heat, got some good looks forward and ran over the top of them, so really pleasing.”

Lewis Diggins pulls out the double cobra celebration after kicking a last-quarter goal. Picture: Simon McEvoy

First-year senior player Weller was dynamic in the middle, while Lewis Diggins went forward and a kicked a goal — and produced the double cobra to celebrate.

Young Max Walker used his athleticism to slot a crucial goal in the last term, as did Charlie Martello after sneaking forward.

Another youngster, Jack Dickson, was among Edi-Asp’s best players; he is playing really consistent senior football while learning on the job. Playing key position in defence, he’s getting a better grasp of when to attack his marks and is beginning to believe in himself.

Ex-AFL Crow Jordan Gallucci was influential in his second game back after missing seven weeks with a knee injury.

“Zac Weller, I thought he was our best player today,’’ Pendlebury said.

“He’s playing a bit of a different role than what he’s used to, that higher half forward, but he’s so clean, left and right foot.

“Max Walker is such an athlete, his work rate is phenomenal for a kid who’s 19, 20.

“Lewy (Diggins), Kurt (Lo Po), (Liam) Hiscock and (Alex) Browne in the middle gave us great energy and first use of the ball so they were very instrumental in the result.”

Max Walker celebrates his goal in the last quarter.

Zac Weller (No. 3) was named best afield for Edi-Asp. Pictures: Simon McEvoy

Tom Freeman was brilliant for Mt Eliza with five goals and loomed as the match-winner before the Eagles’ last term surge.

Fletcher Bayne, Harry Langford and Reuben Hanson, who did well in the ruck in the absence of Chris Carey, were also among the Redlegs’ best.

Edi-Asp are six points clear of fifth-placed Mt Eliza, and Pendlebury said his side would embrace chasing a finals berth in the next two months.

“Pressure this time of the year is a bit of a privilege so we’re in a fortunate spot to be in control of our own destiny a little bit,’’ he said.

“The ladder is really tight, probably spots three through seven and eight, so it was a really pleasing result. We’ll look to take some momentum into next week and get some players back and really attack the second half of the season strong.”

Pendlebury missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury but will return in a few weeks. He coached from the sidelines.

“I’ll be right to go after the bye,’’ he said.

“It’s good to step back and get a holistic view of the whole team and how everything fits in but I’d love to be out there.’’