NAB League 2019: Eastern Ranges thump Northern Knights by 75 points

Top-age player Cody Hirst has enjoyed a strong start to the NAB League season as he continues to chase his AFL draft dream, helping Eastern Ranges to a 75-point win over Northern Knights.

Cody Hirst gets a kick away against Northern Knights. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The scoreboard credited Eastern Ranges with a 75-point win over the Northern Knights.

But the final margin could have been closer to 100 points than 10 goals had Eastern converted its chances in a dominant NAB League victory on Saturday.

Eastern had 25 more scoring shots in the 13.18. (96) to 3.3 (21) victory at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

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Top-age player Cody Hirst was again among Ranges’ top performers after mentions in the best players in the opening two rounds.

The Lilydale junior kicked a goal to go with his 16 disposals and also laid an equal game-high six tackles.

Eastern Ranges coach Darren Bewick. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hirst suffered several shoulder and knee setbacks last year but enjoyed an injury-free pre-season.

He attended the Rookie Me combine last year and twice broke the agility test record.

“I think clubs might live to regret it — they could have picked him up as a late or rookie pick,” Eastern coach Darren Bewick said.

“He’s doing everything right at the moment, he just needs to keep doing that to make sure the interest in the clubs is sustained.”

Hirst was one of six players recently added to the Vic Metro training squad, joined by Riley Smith, Lachlan Stapleton, Lachlan Gawel, James Ross and Mitch Mellis.

Lachlan Gawel has been added to the Vic Metro training squad. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s had some continuity to his training and I thought he was really good again on Saturday,” Bewick said.

“He showed he can play outside, he plays forward and the second half we threw him through the middle of the ground and he was able to get something different through there. He’s had a really good start to the year and we hope he can continue doing that.”

Mellis, who won the club’s best and fairest last year, again showed his development with a second consecutive three-goal game.

“He’s a 174cm midfielder/wingman who realises he’s got to be able to go forward and kick goals and that has been his focus this year,” Bewick said.

“He kicked three last week, three this week so as a small forward he’s really developing that area and that’s something he’s going to keep working on.”

Connor Downie also caught the eye to be in Eastern’s best players.

Ben Hickleton has a shot on goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Downie is a bottom-age player linked to Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy.

“Kicks the ball well, runs really well, really solid citizen, really coachable ... we’re really happy with him,” Bewick said.

“As a bottom-ager, it’s a really good learning opportunity for him this year. He’s got some good players around him and we’ll just keep working with him in areas of his game that need improving.”

Eastern travels to Queensland for its Round 4 clash against the Brisbane Lions Academy.

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