Southern league: East Brighton too good for Heatherton on Good Friday

East Brighton unveiled 14 new players as it stitched up Heatherton in the season-starter at Hurlingham Park.

East Brighton players sing the song after defeating Heatherton.

It was a very Good Friday for East Brighton.

Word of the Vampires’ performance against Heatherton at Hurlingham Park even filtered through to Toorak Park on Saturday, where the Premier Cricket First XI finals were being stage.

With 14 players making their first appearance for the club, East Brighton surged to a 19.14 (128) to 9.12 (66) victory in one of the biggest crowds seen at Hurly for a long time.

The Vampires’ seconds also won by more than 100 points, and no one could remember the last time that happened.

Everything suggests the pre-season whispers about East being one of the SFNL’s big improvers were on the mark.

“I said we were going to bring in a new game style and we put it on display,’’ new coach Andrew Kahofer said.

“We couldn’t have been happier. First game of the year, I thought our run and carry was pretty good, our ball use was good. There are things we can fix obviously – it’s Round 1 – but I was very pleased at what we unveiled as a new-look East Brighton.’’

Vampires coach Andrew Kahofer.

New skipper Shaun James played at half forward and on the ball and kicked three goals.

Ormond recruit Blair Atkins was a stand-out at centre half back, as was Tom Larby in the midfield.

Young Blake Cochrane, a product of the Under 19s, did well in the back pocket for three quarters before being sent on the ball in the final term.

Luke Saunders kicked three goals from a wing and veteran Matt Jamieson, who had supposedly retired at the end of 2019, slotted two goals.

“We were rounded; there weren’t any passengers. Everyone did their job, everyone knew their role,’’ Kahofer, a reserves premiership coach at Ormond, said.

“We’ve got to prepare for next week now. You put a win like that on the board and people are going to have a look at you. But we’re not one of the top sides. We’re just making our way. We just want to get a bit of respect back to the club.’’

East Brighton had for some time been a power in Division 1 before enduring a winless season and being relegated in 2016.

For their victory the Vampires received the John Bennett Cup, named after a great of both clubs and the former league player.

Bennett was impressed with East Brighton, noting it was fit and well drilled.

As for the Tonners, he said they had played only one practice match and it would take them a couple of games to show their best.

He said Heatherton at least stuck at it in hot conditions.

Mornington Peninsula recruit Dan Gormley made an excellent start at his new club and Dave Velardo kicked two goals.

East Brighton 19.14 (128) d Heatherton 9.12 (66)

East Brighton goals: S. James 3, T. Larby 3, L. Saunders 3, M. Jamieson 2, N. Foster 2, J. Rennex 2, L. Milner, D. Taberner, L. Hofbauer, C. Johnston. Best: B. Cochrane, L. Saunders, T. Larby, S. James, B. Atkins, J. Farley-Smith

Heatherton goals: D. Velardo 2, G. Masterson 2, S. Foster 2, J. Hannah, M. Stevens, D. White. Best: D. Gormley, S. Foster, C. Moon, M. Bruce, N. Prosser, D. Velardo