Greensborough proved too good for old rival Eltham in Good Friday season-opener
Greensborough welcomed old rival Eltham back to NFNL Division 1 with a convincing win in the Good Friday season-opener, while Epping also started with a win.
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Greensborough promised run and gun and it delivered on Good Friday.
The Borough run through, over and around Eltham at War Memorial Reserve to secure a 49-point win point in the NFNL Division 1 season-opener.
It could have been far more too if not for an inaccurate 15.19 (109) to 9.6 (60).
Harry Andronaco was superb in the first half before the likes of Ethan Luke, Zak McCubbin, Charlie Bowes and Ben Pannam took control.
Daniel Ferronato booted four goals after getting a late call-up, while McCubbin finished with three in his first game back at the club after a season with Port Melbourne Colts.
The result secured 2014 premiership co-captain Matt Hyde a victory in his coaching debut.
“We’ve obviously got some good kids like Ethan Luke and Will O’Dwyer and having Charlie Bowes back full-time, it means once we’ve got the space we can get out and run and those boys are hard to catch,” Hyde said.
“Jamie Smith helps, at 200cm, having a key point to kick to and Tommy Phelan works his backside off creating space and presenting.
“What made me happy today from our forwards was their defensive pressure.
“I watched some footage of Greensborough last year and it felt like last year the ball would sometimes slingshot back out and I thought today they fought tooth and nail to keep it in.
“The pre-season is long and you put a lot of time into your running and skills and match play, so to come into a game you’re expected to win and get the job done is consolidation of the effort we’ve put in the last three months.”
Daniel Ferronato kicked the first goal of the game, pouncing on an Eltham kick-in error and the Borough had three more as they ramped up the forward pressure.
Matt Byron got Eltham on the board in the 16th minute as the Panthers kicked three straight against a stiff breeze in the first quarter.
The wind dropped away after quarter time but the Panthers still rallied back into the game as Byron (three goals) caught fire.
The margin was 18 points at half-time.
It was quickly 30 points as the Borough kicked the first two of the third and 44 before David Evans booted two crucial goals – and took a hanger – to keep Eltham in the hunt.
The Panthers got the all-important first goal of the final term to make it a 31-point ball game but it would be the only goal they’d kick.
Goals to McCubbin and Luke quickly killed off the contest as the home side finished the stronger in hot conditions.
“I thought Zak McCubbin was good and Daniel Ferronato kicked four, Ben Pannam was solid, his in-and-under work and ability to break the tackle and clear was super,” Hyde said.
“Jack Johnston is every reliable and having Deakin Lawler back, he took some good grabs, and it’s always nice to say you have Tom Brindley, Kristian Ferronato, Harrison Andronaco and Zach Hart.
“I’ve got a lot of family at Eltham, my brother-in-law is an assistant and dad coached them at one point, so there’s a lot of overlap.
“I thought they showed some good signs, so while it’s nice to win I also want to see them do well.”
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DIV 3: LALOR CELEBRATING SMALL WINS AS REBUILD BEGINS
Meanwhile, at Lalor Reserve, Epping marked its return to Division 3 with a 51-point win over Lalor.
Off-season addition Adrian Alfonsi booted three goals for the Pingers while Jordan Wilkins, Lucas Aqualina and Seb Latina were instrumental.
The visitors were only 18 points up at half-time but charged home in the heat, booting eight goals to three.
Despite the 15.17 (107) to 8.8 (56) loss, it is a positive step forward as the Bloods only scored more than 50 points twice last season.
Former club captain Sam Rexhepi made an immediate impact with four goals, while Nathan Parkes, Justin Bentley and Heath Patton impressed.
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