East Malvern recorded its first win in 22 games on Saturday

East Malvern recorded its first win in 22 games on Saturday and coach Mick Rossborough says it was completely “player driven”.

s47os976 FOOTBALL SFL Division 3: Sandown v Moorabbin at Edinburgh Reserve, Springvale North. Sandown coach Mick Rossborough.

East Malvern coach Mick Rossborough says Saturday’s drought-breaking win was completely player driven.

After a winless 2022 that resulted in the Panthers relegated from Division 1, Rossborough’s group started the Division 2 season 0-4.

But Saturday saw the Panthers knock off the previously 3-1 Caulfield Bears in commanding fashion, 18.10 (118) to 5.8 (38).

“In all honesty, Saturday was player driven – we were love and four, they knew what they had to do,” Rossborough says.

“We have had some really good individual performances, Nathan Peterson at centre half back, Youseph Dib will be a brilliant player, Patty Mac (Patrick McNamara) didn’t do a pre-season with work but that was his fourth game back.

“They know what it’s like and Saturday we were pretty good across the ground to win by that much.”

Panthers coach Mick Rossborough.

East Malvern – led by Youseph Dib in the middle and Isaac Morrisby (seven goals) and Will Bainbridge (six) up forward – ran away with nine goals to two in the first half.

“We have broken down in a few games, mainly quarters, but not full games,” he says.

“The difference on Saturday was that we had a good team in, we had nearly everyone available, both rucks, our midfield, all the forwards – it makes a difference.

“Will (Bainbridge) started at centre half back this year and we moved him forward against Highett, but he unfortunately hurt his ankle in the first quarter.

“It was his first game as a forward and he kicked six, so obviously that works.”

East Malvern sing its quirky song.

While the Panthers have just got off the mark for 2023, Rossborough has high hopes for where his side can go in years to come if it keeps the current crop together.

“We have a heap of work to do, we know that, but we’re building nicely,” he says.

“We have a heap coming back from overseas in the second half of the year then hopefully next year our club goes skyrocketing.”

Five Division 2 sides went into Round 5 with three wins and one loss, but only one outfit added to their win column.

East Brighton continued to flex its muscles, thrashing Skye 19.22 (136) to 7.6 (48).

Vampires’ forward Tom Lamb booted another eight, surging his season tally to 23 in just five games.

Keysborough scored its first win of the season over Black Rock, 22.16 (148) to 3.1 (19).

Doveton kept in touch with the top five by defeating Highett 13.13 (91) to 10.10 (79) and Murrumbeena – the only previously 3-1 side to win – overcame a plucky Hampton Park 12.12 (84) to 11.9 (75).