Mitch Robinson stars as Eltham stun Greensborough in Good Friday blockbuster

Ex-AFL star Mitch Robinson set the tone as Eltham produced a stunning Good Friday upset of Greensborough in front of a massive crowd.

Mitch Robinson in action for Eltham. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Eltham might have to convince Mitch Robinson to return more often, he’s proving a good-luck charm.

In front of a massive Good Friday crowd at Central Park, the ex-AFL star fuelled the Panthers’ stunning 27-point upset win over NFNL Division 1 rival Greensborough.

Robinson kicked two goals in the first quarter to lift his team and get the raucous home fans on their feet, before helping seal victory in the last to finish the day with four majors.

The 13.11 (89) to 9.8 (62) triumph was Eltham’s first Good Friday win over Greensborough since 2017.

Jesse Donaldson was prolific through midfield, while Cooper James impressed in a shutdown role on Borough captain Jack Johnston and James Marchbank worked tirelessly in the ruck.

Panthers coach Tim Bongetti said having a player of Robinson’s calibre lifted the whole team.

“When Robbo kicked three to start the game, the belief was really big,” Bongetti said.

“Just having him there, it creates an aura, people get excited.

“Myself, when I was at Greensborough we played with Micky O’Loughlin one game and you walk that little bit taller.

“When he comes out and performs like he did at the start of the game, he was very good by foot and his pressure was good.

“He was great on the field and very good off the field, with the kids, and getting involved with the crowd again – I said we need to be careful of one thing but we got it.”

Eltham burst out of the blocks with a five-goal opening term, taking a 27-point quarter-time lead.

However, Greensborough hit back in the second quarter, piling on five goals of their own as Brody Glenn caught fire, to get back within 12 points at the half.

With the wind at their back, the Panthers were limited to two goals in the third with the margin 11 points at the final change.

Bongetti revealed his message to his players before the game.

Eltham coach Tim Bongetti. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“It was the first time I’ve been nervous in six years going into the game, I woke up at 6.30,” he said.

“I felt we had a really strong chance to win if we played well and I let them know that, that I was nervous and it was a good feeling because it meant I thought we had a good opportunity.

“At three-quarter-time I said ‘boys, get rid of my nerves’, the way to do that is to bring home the W.”

When Zak McCubbin brought Greensborough within six points early in the last, Bongetti’s nerves would have been jangling.

However, Eltham quickly took control of the game and goals to Donaldson, Robinson and Kieran Malone (two) icing a famous win.

While Robinson stole the show, Bongetti praised the likes of Marchbank and James for playing critical team roles.

“Marchy played Twos last week against Hurstbridge, we didn’t think we had a match-up for him and Jaden Collins playing,” he said.

“He went into the middle when the ruckman came off with an injury and he just dominated in the ruck.

“Coming against Nathan Howard who is arguably one of the best ruckmen in the competition, we thought we needed someone to battle for 120 minutes and that’s Marchy.

“The way he performed, he nullified the impact of Nathan’s left-hand and competed really well.

“And Cooper played on Jack Johnston, Jack had 41 and 15 rebound 50s, he owned the game last week even though they got done, so we played Cooper as a defensive forward and he was unbelievable, kicked the first of the game and did his job for the team.”

For Greensborough, Darcy Blakeley was named best afield, while Jackson Davies, James McCubbin and Marty Fitzgerald held their heads high.

Eltham is now 2-1 and travels to Montmorency on Saturday, while Greensborough is 1-2 and hosts South Morang next week.

MITCH ROBINSON SET FOR GOOD FRIDAY LOCAL FOOTY RETURN

Last time Mitch Robinson pulled on an Eltham guernsey he walked off with 33 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals.

After a running battle with Macleod players and fans alike, which only seemed to fuel the ex-AFL star, it all added up to 217 Premier Data ranking points.

Now Robinson returns to the Panthers for their traditional Good Friday clash with Greensborough, hoping to again light up Central Park and help deliver a win.

Long-time friend and NFNL Division 1 coach Tim Bongetti was looking forward to having the former Carlton and Brisbane star back.

“The last time he played, he showed a lot of interest in coming back,” Bongetti said.

Mitch Robinson in action for Eltham. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He’s here, there and everywhere with his podcasts and social media stuff and I was delighted he wanted to come back and spend more time with the boys.

“This time he’ll come down and do a bit of a Sportsman’s Night on Thursday night, so hopefully we can get a good crowd.

“It’s going to be a big day, last time he played it was raining so hopefully the whether holds up and we get a good game of footy.

“He kicked a couple, as we know flipped off the crowd, so we’ll have to make sure he’s careful.”

Last year, Robinson helped deliver a critical win over Macleod that ensured Eltham cemented its place in NFNL Division 1.

This time, the Panthers will be looking to consolidate a solid start to the season, sitting 1-1 after the opening fortnight.

Greensborough claimed both clashes last season, emerging 49-point victors on Good Friday at War Memorial Reserve before claiming a 59-point win at Central Park.

Bongetti is feeling more confident this season with a win already under the belt.

“It’s like I’ve got this bunny, we keep getting injuries early in the year to some of our crucial players,” he said.

“To be 1-1 is definitely better than where we were last year, Greensborough on Good Friday and straight into Hurstbridge, who we were competitive against, but obviously 0-2.

“We have a difficult month, Bundoora and rolling into Hurstbridge, Greensborough and Montmorency, so we knew it would be a challenge but if we could snag two of those we’d be in a really good position.

“Being an ex-Greensborough boy myself, I know they play for this day as well, it’s going to be hot footy we’ve just got to compete for 120 minute and anything can happen.”

With Northern Bullants on a VFL bye, Bongetti expects to have Ben Quaynor available but Jaden Collins will miss through suspension.

Northern Knights are also on a bye and Harvey Cooke and Nick Driscoll will be considered for selection.

Cooke has been in particularly strong form in the opening rounds of the Coates League season, averaging 16 disposals, three clearances, seven tackles and a goal a game.

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“They’re names we’re throwing around, Harvey has been playing great footy at Knights and been in good form at Coates League level,” Bongetti said.

“He’s a quality young footballer and for a 17-year-old it would be great to have him in, he’s played two games for me already.”

The Good Friday clash will be a standalone clash in the Northern league.

Eltham and Greensborough will back-up against Montmorency and South Morang respectively the following week, affectively playing twice in Round 3, before having a bye in Round 4.