MPFNL Division 2: Edi-Asp midfielder’s hot streak

An Edithvale-Aspendale star had tongues wagging with an elite performance, earning a big rap from coach Kris Pendlebury. And Pearcedale celebrated a nine-year first.

Kurt Lopo has been in brilliant form for Edithvale-Aspendale. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The murmurings in the crowd grew louder at Regents Park on Saturday.

Brilliant Edi-Asp midfielder Kurt Lopo was lighting it up and long time Eagles supporters were saying he was the best they’d seen.

The dual best and fairest winner kicked 5.6 against Seaford — after playing 90 percent of the game on the ball.

His display ignited the Eagles to a come-from-behind 52-point win.

Seaford kicked five of the first seven goals to rush to a 17-point lead.

Then Lopo took over.

The running machine was ferocious, with speed, tackling and goal kicking as Edi-Asp took control with seven goals in the second quarter.

Edi-Asp playing-coach Kris Pendlebury described Lopo as an “unbelievable player’’.

“I heard a lot of good things about him from people who I knew previous to me coming (to Edi-Asp) and everything they’ve said is true,’’ he said.

“He’s an unbelievable player. We’re really lucky to have him to be honest.’’

Alex Browne.

Hugo Clarke.

Pendlebury added: “From what I’ve seen in my short time here, there’s no doubt he could play VFL footy right now but not everyone’s interested in that path. Mate, as I said, we’re really luck to have him.’’

In the previous round against Crib Point, Lopo had 35 touches and kicked 3.6 and on Saturday he would have had close to 30 possessions.

He’s on track for another club B&F in his third season at the Eagles.

“He’s getting a lot of shots at goal and he’s racking them up as well so he’s a hard match up at the moment,’’ Pendlebury said.

Lopo’s fellow midfielder Lewis Diggins was also dominant, clearly second best on the ground, while Pendlebury was a wall in defence, at one stage punching a ball 40 metres.

Liam Hiscock, Alexander Browne and Brad Tagg were also in the Eagles’ best.

Edi-Asp is 3-1 and hosts undefeated Devon Meadows next weekend in a blockbuster, pitting Paddy Ryder against Tyrone Vickery.

“Obviously he (Ryder) is a focal point for them and obviously an amazing player at AFL level and he’s been dominating local footy but we’ll back in our system in defence and we’ll have some plans in place when the ball gets down there,’’ Pendlebury said.

“But like most footy games it will be won and lost in the middle so if we can win the middle it will go a long way to limit his impact on the game.’’

Ryder’s Devon Meadows remained unbeaten after beating Karingal by 65 points, 16.14 (110) to 7.3 (45). Ryder kicked four goals while fellow former AFL player Dean Kent was best afield, with Jayden Sullivan, Dylan Gregson and teenager Toby Sinnema also impressing.

Baxter Knight handballs for Chelsea. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Chelsea also kept its undefeated record in tact, thrashing neighbours Bonbeach by 84 points, 17.16 (118) to 4.10 (34), with Matthew Dussin best afield and Baxter Knight, Nick Stamatis and Zane Carter in cracking form.

Pearcedale secured its first win over Somerville at Jones Rd since 2015, with its mix of youth and experience showing the way.

“Our young players are getting better,” Pearcedale coach Peter Bastinac said.

“Aaron Hosking, Alex Dimic, Connor Georgakopoulos and Ben Duncan blended in with our experience…it seems to be coming together.”

Ex-AFL Power forward Brett Eddy kicked six goals for the Dales and Kaolan Thornton, Huw Jones and Daniel Jackson also impressed.

Tyabb’s Jake Greeley won the Anzac Medal after a dominant game in the backline in the Yabbies’ 62-point win over Hastings. Also for Tyabb, Dale Sutton dominated the midfield, Will Hose continued his hot form in the ruck and midfield and Cooper De Haas had a great debut down back.

Travis Stewart won the Anzac Medal in Crib Point’s 53-point win over Rye. Other Magpies to impress were Josh Le Grice, Jett Bauer and Liam Tyrell.

Crib Point has started the season strongly, sitting in fourth spot with a 3-1 record and coach Duane Annable said the club was on the look-out for a midfielder before the clearance cut off.

“Any bull midfielders not happy at their club or not currently playing we want to sign one or two before June 30 — we have room in our points,’’ Annable said.