Josh Caddy makes his debut in Greensborough’s win over Hurstbridge

A big crowd, including Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, descended on Greensborough to watch Josh Caddy debut. So how did he fare?

Josh Caddy celebrates a goal with Tom Bell. Picture: Nathan McNeill

In front of a packed War Memorial Reserve, Josh Caddy didn’t disappoint in his Greensborough debut.

The two-time Richmond premiership player booted two goals to help the Borough claim a comfortable 66-point win over NFL Division 1 rival Hurstbridge on Saturday.

Playing his first competitive game since April 17, Caddy moved well rotating midfield and forward and showed no signs of an ankle injury that had delayed his local footy introduction.

With flag teammate and Tigers superstar Dustin Martin in the crowd, Greensborough won 15.14 (104) to 5.8 (38).

Borough coach Saade Ghazi gave his verdict on Caddy’s first showing.

Thomas Bell in action for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“To be honest we didn’t think he’d be ready this week but he trained pretty well during the week and it was easy to play him,” he said.

“He trained by himself on Tuesday and then did the whole session on Thursday.

“He was very exciting, he did some things that local players can’t do – you can see his strength from 10 years at AFL level, he was just classy.

“We weren’t going to initially but he spent seven or eight minutes on the ball in the second and third quarter and found the footy.

“That’s what we’ve recruited him to the club to do, play midfield-forward.

“He’s hardly played this year but he’s done a lot of training … I think he’ll be pretty sore this morning but will only get better.”

After missing the loss to Bundoora before the bye, Tom Bell returned with three goals playing as a permanent forward, while Zak McCubbin also booted three.

The Borough restricted the visitors to just two goals at half-time, setting up a 36-point lead, and only inaccuracy in front of goal denied them a bigger percentage boost.

Zak McCubbin booted three goals for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Skipper Jack Johnston was named Greensborough’s best, along with fellow defenders Nick Riddle and Billy Bedford – keen to atone for a Round 2 loss to the Bridges.

“They’re great players … to be fair, Hurstbridge in Round 2 had the better of our defenders and I think Jack, Nick and Billy were pretty keen to atone for that.

“Belly was a bit smashed up, he’s playing with a broken finger and sore knee.

“He played forward all day, it will be horses for courses obviously, but I think the days of Tom Bell being an inside mid all day isn’t going to happen – we’ve got to spread the load.

“This year I’ve found it’s who you have available at the time … two weeks ago Bundoora have Jacob Townsend available and we have Tom Bell away for a wedding and then this week we have Josh Caddy come in and Tom Bell return.”

The win moves Greensborough a game clear in fourth ahead of West Preston-Lakeside, North Heidelberg and Macleod.

The Borough travel to Moore Park on Saturday to face a Roosters team hoping to make amends after a shock 104-point hammering at the hands of Bundoora.

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“They’re (West Preston-Lakeside) a very strong footy club so we expect them to come back hard,” Ghazi said.

“At the half-way point we probably weren’t were we wanted to be in terms of wins and losses but there’s still a long way to go.”

Captain Lachie East was Hurstbridge’s best in defeat, while Ty Franks, Jack Stewart and Tyron Loader were also strong.

The Bridges face the daunting task of Montmorency at Montmorency on Saturday.