MPFNL: Star signing hits ground running for Devon Meadows

Trent Cody and Paddy Ryder were among the best players as Devon Meadows made it four wins on the spin in MPFNL Division 2.

Devon Meadows player Trent Cody with the ball on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Straight into it.

Devon Meadows started its mid-season signing Trent Cody in the midfield against Edithvale-Aspendale on Saturday.

And he made an impact, helping the Panthers to a strong-finishing 13-point win at Glover Reserve.

It was Cody’s first game since captaining Narre Warren’s grand final victory in Outer East league 10 months ago. He signed with Devon Meadows a fortnight ago.

“He slotted straight in, he was fine, a little bit rusty early but as the game went on he built himself right into it,” Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said.

“I probably wasn’t expecting him to have that much input being his first game but he played really well.

Trent Cody at the Devon Meadows quarter-time huddle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We started him in the midfield — get straight into it, get a feel of it and then we put him forward, had him swapping on and off the bench in the midfield and forward.

“We didn’t want to blow him up too much too early being his first game and not having a practice match under his belt. He was good.’’

Hendy added: “He’s clearly a good pick up. You don’t get blokes like him walking into your club halfway through the year.”

After trailing by 28 points at quarter time, Devon Meadows clawed its way to a 12.11 (83) to 10.10 (70) victory, the Panthers making their winning move in the third quarter when they kicked four goals to two into a stiff breeze.

Nick Battle.

Joel Hillis.

Nick Battle and Joel Hillis were instrumental in the middle, while Paddy Ryder booted six goals (he now has 18 in three games) after an enthralling battle with young Edi-Asp defender Hugo Clarke.

Devon Meadows tagger Brodie White again played a vital role as the Panthers made it four wins on the spin.

“They got the jump on us early and when we had the breeze in the second quarter we just blazed away, just kind of thought it was going to happen and didn’t have ourselves in a good position at half time to be fair,’’ Hendy said.

“That third quarter was huge against it, that’s what won us the game.”

Paddy Ryder.

Ryder gives a high five.

Devon Meadows, 6-3, is cemented in fourth spot on the MPFNL Division 2 ladder.

And the Panthers still have co-captain Dean Kent to come back into the side in the next few weeks after a hamstring strain.

“We decided to leave him for another week, we might even leave him for another two weeks,” Hendy said.

“He did his hamstring and we know he’s going to be that important for us come the pointy end so we don’t want to take any risks with him.”

Edi-Asp find themselves in sixth spot with a 5-5 record and facing a challenge to play finals.

Eagles coach Paul McCormack said Devon Meadow’s midfield got on top on Saturday.

“They just had little bits of brilliance,” he said.

“Battle was good around the footy, he was probably the best mid on the ground…I think they just got hold of us in the second half, particularly that third quarter…we came out with a half decent lead but just didn’t capitalise.

“Cody looks like he’ll be a good player, strong, contested kind of player. Give him a month and he’ll be very good and I think they’ll only improve...bring Kent back in and Cody with a few more games under his belt, yeah, I can’t see them getting worse.’’

Edi-Asp’s Alexander Browne.

Ty Kirkwood. Pictures: Valeriu Campan

McCormack said Edi-Asp would embrace the challenge of ahead of it in the back half of the season.

“We’ve got younger bodies, we’ve got a few old warhorses but not many,’’ he said.

“The sides that have beaten us have probably got us around the footy, around the contested ball.’’

Hendy rated Edi-Asp highly.

“I reckon they’re in the top three sides we’ve played this year,’’ he said.

“I’ve got no doubt about that. I still think they’ll measure up against most sides, I think they’ll be there come finals time.’’